łigai
/ɬɪ̀kɑ̀ɪ̀/
The English word 'white' is translated into Navajo as łigai.
łigai can be used as a noun to refer to the color white or as an adjective to describe something as bright and colourless.
Meaning: color (noun)
Which one should you use?
The form changes from łigai to daalgai when describing three or more objects.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɬɪ̀kɑ̀ɪ̀/
Did you know?
- In Navajo, the word for 'white', łigai, is actually a verb form that describes the state of 'being white'.
- Navajo color terms like łigai are more closely related to how an object appears to the eye than to a specific pigment.
Examples in context
- Shash łigaiThe (one or two) bear is white.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use łigai when describing one or two bears.
- Shash daalgaiThe (three or more) bears are white.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the plural form when describing three or more bears.
- Łigai deeshłééʼ.It is white.
Example conversation
Jessica and Kyle are looking at a blank piece of paper.
- JessicaTʼáá łigai bíyáá.The paper is completely white.
- KyleÁáá, łigai tʼiis.Yeah, it's very white.
- JessicaTʼáá łigai tʼaałáá.It is truly white.
- KyleHeełtah.I see.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry łigai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries łigai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
