nízin

Navajo

Etymology

ni- (modal) + ∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -zin (neuter imperfective stem of root -ZĮĮD, “to think, to know”).

This verb exhibits irregular tones on the inner prefix /ni/ syllable in the second-person singular and third-person singular and duoplural forms.

Pronunciation

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Verb

nízin

1. he/she thinks, is of the opinion

   Ashkii léi háágóó deeyá nínízin? ― Where do you think that boy is going?

   George shíká adoolwoł nisin. ― I think George will help me.

   George bíká adeeshwoł nízin. ― George wants to help him. (lit. George thinks “I will help him”.)

   George jíká adeeshwoł nízin. ― George wants to help me. (lit. George thinks “I will help him (4th person)”.)

2. (in a number of set expressions) he/she feels:

   ahééh nízin ― he/she is thankful

   bił nízin ― he/she is sleepy

   dibááʼ nízin ― he/she is thirsty

   dichin nízin ― he/she is hungry

   tsį́į́ł nízin ― he/she is in a hurry, is impatient

Usage notes

This is a neuter verb that uses only the imperfective mode. The conjugation is identical to yinízin (“he/she wants it”) except for the third person, due to the latter being transitive.

Conjugation

Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (∅), with some irregularities.

IMPERFECTIVE	singular	duoplural	plural
1st person	nisin	niidzin	daniidzin
2nd person	nínízin	nohsin	danohsin
3rd person	nízin		danízin
4th person	jinízin		daznízin

Related terms

• hasįįh (“conditions make one feel”)
• yinízin (“he/she wants it”)