łikan

łikan

Navajo

Etymology

łi- (adjectival) + -Ø- (ni-modal 3rd person subject prefix) + -Ø- (classifier) + -kan (neuter imperfective stem of root -KĄĄD, “to be sweet”).

The łi- prefix appears to have originated historically from the -ł- classifier. When this prefix appears immediately in pre-stem position, it takes the shape of a -l- classifier.

Pronunciation

• Audio (NV)

  (file)

Verb

łikan

1. it is sweet
2. it is tasty, good, palatable

   Bááh éí shił łikan. ― The bread is good. / I like bread.

Usage notes

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

Conjugation

Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (ni).

IMPERFECTIVE	singular	duoplural	plural
1st person	łinishkan	łiniikan	dałiniikan
2nd person	łiníkan	łinohkan	dałinohkan
3rd person	łikan		daalkan
4th person	jilkan		dajilkan

Derived terms

• áshįįh łikan