Navajo edit

Etymology edit

b- (3rd person indirect object prefix) + -ho- (space, area, things) + -ní- (comparative) + -ee- (ni-modal 3rd person subject prefix) + -d- (classifier)-dząąh (imperfective stem of root -DZĄĄD, “to be possible”).

The stem may actually be -ząąh, potentially ultimately deriving from the root -YĄĄD ("to be wise", see honisą/hóyą). Compare Chipewyan hurélyą (good weather) and Tsuut'ina nanidhzoh (get well).

Other difficulties are the origin of the high tone on ho- and the pre-stem long -née- (possibly from ní- + ni- ?), only found in few other bases (see ánéeltʼeʼ).

Verb edit

bihónéedząąh

  1. it becomes possible
  2. it becomes practical, feasible

Usage notes edit

This verb is semantically limited to expression in the third person.

Conjugation edit

Paradigm: Momentaneous (ni/si), third person only.

IMPERFECTIVE singular
3rd person bihónéedząąh
NEUTER singular
3rd person bihónéedzą́
PERFECTIVE singular
3rd person bihónéesdząąd