-GAII

Etymology

Probably from Proto-Athabaskan *ɢɑɣ ~ *ɢɑy (to be white). Cognate root found in Ahtna lggay, Gwich'in daagąįį.

The extended meanings of “to be hot” and “to hurt” seem to be specific to Navajo among Athabascan languages.

Root

-GAII

1. white
Theme Category Bases Transitive bases (O + ł)
łi + ∅ adjectival

S is white (neuter impf.)

d

S is white (neuter perf.)

S becomes white

bílátaʼiigááh

S makes O white

 
  • adiiłgááh
  • hoołgááh
motion

white S moves

  • dziigááh (MOM)
  • naagaah (CONT)
  • yigah (PROG)
2. hot
Theme Category Bases Transitive bases (O + ł)
ni + ∅ adjectival

S is hot, hurts

S causes heat, pain

ni + ∅

S becomes hot, hurts

S makes O hot, hurts O

  • yiniiłgááh
  • honiiłgááh
  • yiʼniiłgááh

Stem set

Aspect IMP PERF FUT ITER OPT
MOM -gááh -gaii -gah -gah -gááh
CONT -gaah
NEUT -gai -gai

See also Appendix: Roots and stems derivation.

Synonyms

warm, hot:

to hurt:

Antonyms

Colors:

cold, cool:

 

Derived terms

Navajo terms belonging to the root -GAII (hot)