haash bił naniná
The English abbreviation 'wyd' is translated into Navajo as haash bił naniná.
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current activity, serving as a translation for the English question 'what are you doing?'
Did you know?
- The phrase haash bił naniná literally suggests a sense of companionship, as bił implies doing something 'with' or 'alongside' someone or something.
- Navajo is an Athabaskan language, and the word bił shares a common ancestor with words in the Dena'ina and Wailaki languages.
- In Navajo culture, asking someone what they are doing is often a way to initiate a social connection rather than a literal interrogation of their tasks.
Example conversation
Brandon texts Jessica to see what she is doing.
- BrandonYá'át'ééh Jessica, haash bił naniná?Hi Jessica, what are you doing?
- JessicaT'áá ákót'ééh, bii'ąądáá' ííní.Not much, I'm just reading.
- BrandonDoo t'áá ákoot'ééh da:That's not much at all.
- JessicaÁąnít'ééh, Brandon.That's right, Brandon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bił, haash, CC BY-SA 4.0.
