yáʼátʼééh

Navajo

Etymology

yá- (thematic) + -ʼá- (comparative) + -∅- (ni-modal 3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -tʼééh (neuter imperfective stem of root -TʼÉÉH, “to be good”).

Often anglicized as "yatahey" or "yah-ta-hey".

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jáʔátʼɛ́ːh/, /jáʔátʼéːh/

• Audio (NV)

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• Audio (NV)

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Interjection

yáʼátʼééh

1. greetings, hello
2. bye, see you later

Verb

yáʼátʼééh

1. he/she/it is fine, suitable, good

   yáʼátʼééh náshdleeł ― I’m feeling better.

   doo yáʼátʼéeh da ― he is bad, evil, not good.

2. he/she/it is pretty
3. he/she is well, good

   yáʼáníshtʼééh ― I am well.

   yáʼánítʼééhísh ― are you well?

4. must
5. like

   shił yáʼátʼééh ― I like it (reflects a personal preference).

   doo shił yáʼátʼéeh da ― I don’t like it (reflects a personal preference).

   Díí naaltsoos shił yáʼátʼééh ― I like this book.

   Éí movie nił yáʼátʼééh yaʼ ― You like that movie, right?

   Aooʼ, áh yáʼátʼééh ― Yes, it's good.

Usage notes

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

Conjugation

Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (ni).

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “hello”): hágoóneeʼ (goodbye)

Derived terms

• yáʼátʼééh abíní (“good morning”)
• yáʼátʼééh iʼííʼą́ (“good evening”)

Related terms

• yáʼátʼéehgo