jiilgéésh

Navajo

Etymology

dzi- (“away into distance”) + -yi- (semelfactive) + ∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -l- (classifier) + -géésh (imperfective stem of root -GIZH, “to flash”).

See also root -GĘSH (“to flash”), of similar meaning.

Prefix dzi- becomes ji- under consonantal harmony with the root's final -sh sibilant.

Verb

jiilgéésh

lightning flashes, there is a flash of lightning.

Usage notes

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

The imperfective has two forms, one using the semelfactive stem proper (jiilgish), and one using the momentaneous stem (jiilgéésh).

Conjugation

Paradigm: Semelfactive (yii/si), third person only.

	3rd person singular
IMPERFECTIVE	jiilgéésh, jiilgish
PERFECTIVE	jishgish
FUTURE	jidoolgish

Related terms

jiilgęsh