Navajo edit

Etymology edit

na- (atelic, circuital) + -z- (si-perfective 3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier)-jééʼ (neuter perfective stem of root -JÉÉʼ, “to lie — 3+ actors”).

Verb edit

naazhjééʼ

  1. they (animate things) lie around somewhere in groups of three or more

Usage notes edit

This verb refers to multiple groups. Also occurs with distributive da- as ndaazhjééʼ, referring to a greater plurality of groups.

For a single group, use the verb shijééʼ.

The stem used for subjects in groups is different from the stem used for subjects acting individually or in pairs. For separate subjects, see naaztį́; for subjects in pairs, see naazhtéézh.

This is a neuter verb that uses only the perfective mode.

Conjugation edit

Paradigm: Neuter perfective (si).

PERFECTIVE singular duoplural plural
1st person nishiijééʼ ndashiijééʼ
2nd person nishoojééʼ ndashoojééʼ
3rd person naazhjééʼ ndaazhjééʼ
4th person nijizhjééʼ ndajizhjééʼ

See also edit

Navajo Classificatory Themes Plural objects lie around
(Handle stem)
Class Examples Handle Propel Moves
SRO generic -ʼĄ́ -NEʼ l-TSʼID naazʼą́
SFO rope; pairs; unknown;
conglomerate
-LÁ ł / ∅ -DÉÉL naazlá
FFO sheet, paper ł-TSOOZ -ʼAH -NAʼ naastsooz
SSO stick, pole -TĄ́ ł-TʼEʼ -KĘ́Ę́Z naaztą́
AnO animate, doll ł-TĮ́ -GOʼ -TŁIZH naaztį́
NCM wig, hay; fog ł / ł / ∅ -JOOL naazhjool
MM butter; frog -TŁÉÉʼ ł-YĘ́Ę́ZH naaztłééʼ
LPB load, burden -YĮ́ naazyį́
PlO1 severality -NIL ni-∅ -DEEʼ naaznil
PlO2 profusion -JAAʼ ł-KAAD -KAAD   naazhjaaʼ
OC severality/profusion
in a container
-KĄ́ ł-DÁÁZ naazką́
Flat toppled wall,
blanket, bushes
naazkaad
Bulk boulder ł-ZHÓÓD l-ZHÓÓD naazhóód
Stream liquid, sand, dust -ZIID naaziid
Navajo Positional Themes Plural objects in position
(Intrans. Neuter)
Position Number of
participants
Intransitive Transitive Root
Active Neuter Active Neuter
LIE 1 ni-∅- ∅- ni-ł- ł- -TĮ́ naaztį́
2 -TÉÉZH naazhtéézh
3+ -JÉÉʼ naazhjééʼ
SIT 1 ni-∅- ∅- ni-ł- ł- -DÁ naazdá
2 -KÉ naazké
3+ dini-∅ hí-(-TĄ́) dini-ł -BIN naháaztą́
STAND 1 ni-∅- ∅- ni-ł- ł- -ZĮʼ naazį́