nahasdzáán
/nɑ̀hɑ̀st͡sɑ́ːn/
The Navajo word for world is nahasdzáán.
nahasdzáán is used to refer to the inhabited planet.
Meaning: inhabited planet (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/nɑ̀hɑ̀stsɑ́ːn/
Did you know?
- In Navajo cosmology, the current world is not the first. People have traveled through a series of previous worlds, each with different colors, before arriving in the present one.
- The word contains the root asdzáán, which is the common Navajo word for 'woman'.
- The Navajo language often describes the 'world' not just as a physical place, but as a state of balance called hózhó. To be in harmony with the world is a central spiritual goal.
Examples in context
- Nahasdzáán biniiyé tʼáá áłíkwíí.It is very important for the world.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a globe together.
- TylerShiʼááh nahasdzáán tʼáá áání.My map shows the whole world.
- JessicaÁádóó nahasdzáán tʼáá ałtso:And the whole world is here.
- TylerTʼáá ákood nahasdzáán łáʼ.The world is just like that.
- JessicaHaaí, tʼáá áłtso.Yes, all of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nahasdzáán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nahasdzáán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
