bihónéedząąh

bihónéedząąh

Navajo

Etymology

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 Sarcee 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

bihónéedząąh

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

Usage notes

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

Conjugation

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

IMPERFECTIVE	singular
3rd person	bihónéedząąh

NEUTER	singular
3rd person	bihónéedzą́

PERFECTIVE	singular
3rd person	bihónéesdząąd