yiniłmas

Navajo

Etymology

y- (3rd person object prefix) + -ni- (“round shape”) + -∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -ł- (classifier, causative) + -mas (semelfactive imperfective stem of root -MÁÁZ, “to roll”).

The stem -máás (“globular, spherical, ball-like shape”) is cognate with -bą́ą́z (“hooplike, ringlike shape”), and they have the same origin, which possibly is Proto-Athabaskan *wątsʼ (“roll”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jɪ̀nɪ̀ɬmɑ̀s/

Verb

yiniłmas

1. he/she is rolling it into a ball (as dough, snow), is clenching it (one's fist)

   Yas néłmas. ― I made a snowball.

   Béésh adishahí dínéesmas. ― I will roll up the barbed wire.

   Shílaʼ néłmas. ― I clenched my fist.

Conjugation

PERFECTIVE	singular	duoplural	plural
1st person	néłmas	neelmas	daneelmas
2nd person	níníłmas	sinoołmas	dasinoołmas
3rd person	yineesmas		deineesmas
4th person	jineesmas		dazhneesmas

Related terms

• chʼémáás
• chʼííłmáás
• haamáás
• iiłmáás
• iimáás
• naamaas
• neiłmaas
• niimas
• nímaz
• yímáás
• yiłmáás
• yíłmáás
• yiłmaz
• yimáás
• yímáás
• yimas
• yiniiłmas
• yoołmas

See also

• iiłbąąs