This is a set of dialogues created by Corpus of Diné Bizaad in order to support conversational exercises in the classroom. Needs work on language accuracy, and may need to be adjusted to variety spoken in your region. Use freely for non-commercial purposes, and wherever posted, keep a link to this site. For any comment, email info@corpusofdinebizaad.in

do you have

A: Da’ _________ nee hólǫ́?

B: Nidaga, ___________shee da holǫ́ da, ’ákondi ________ shee holǫ́. OR ’Aoo, kǫ́ǫ́ _____________.

bik’ina’ adzooí (=notebook)
bee akʼeʼelchíhí (=pencil)
naaltsoos (=libro)
naaltsoostsoh (=dictionary)
béésh ahédiłi (=scissors)
azis (=bag)
béésh bee hane’é (=phone)
haneʼ binaaltsoos (=newspaper)
béésh nitsékeesí (=computer)
bee ídaʼneelʼąąhí (=ruler)

when you’ll do something

A: Hahgo nidííneeł?

When will you play?

B: T’áá hoozhishee nideeshneeł.

I’ll play just whenever.

A: Hahgo íídííłtah?

When will you go to school?

B: Nináádeezidgo íídeeshtah.

I’ll go to school in a month.

A: Hahgo nidíílnish?

When will you work?

B: Kónááhoot’éhí nideeshenish

I’ll work next year.

A: Hahgo iidííhosh?

When will you sleep?

B: T’áá hxąhí iideeshosh.

I’ll go to sleep later.

A: Hahgo adíítl’óół?

When will you weave?

B: Naaki yizką́ągo adeeshtł’óół.

In two days I’ll weave.

A: Hahgo nimá bich’į’ ak’e’dííłchííł?

When will you write to your mother?

B: Hodíina’go shimá bich’į’ ak’e’deeshchííł.

I’ll write to my mother in a little while.

when you’ll do something together

A: Hahgo nidoohneeł?

When will you 2 play?

B: T’áá hoozhishee nidii’neeł.

We 2 will play just whenever.

A: Hahgo íídóołtah?

When will you 2 go to school?

B: Nináádeezidgo íídiiltah.

We 2 will go to school in a month.

A: Hahgo nidoołnish?

When will you 2 work?

B: Kónááhoot’éhí nidiilish

We 2’ll work next year.

A: Hahgo adoohtl’óół?

When will you 2 weave?

B: Naaki yizką́ągo adiihtł’óół.

In two days we 2’ll weave.

A: Hahgo nihimá bichi’į’ ak’e’doołchííł?

When will you 2 will write to your mother?

B: Hodíina’go nihimá bich’į’ ak’e’diilchííł.

We 2’ll write to my mother in a little while.

asking about meaning

BY POINTING

A: Há’át’ííshą’ díí? OR Díísh ha’át’íí at’é? What’s this?

B: Díí éí’ __________ at’é.

May add singular random items in the classroom like:

bik’ina’ adzooí (=notebook)
bee akʼeʼelchíhí (=pencil)
naaltsoos (=libro)
naaltsoostsoh (=dictionary)
béésh ahédiłi (=scissors)
azis (=bag)
béésh bee hane’é (=phone)
haneʼ binaaltsoos (=newspaper)
béésh nitsékeesí (=computer)
bee ídaʼneelʼąąhí (=ruler)
jooł (=ball)
ch’ah (=hat)
béésh ahédiłi (=scissors)
naaltsoos (=book)
daané’é (=toy)
tsésǫʼ (=window)
bikáá’ na’anishí (=desk)
bikáá dah asdáhi (=chair)
náʼoolkiłí (=clock)

BY SAYING THE UNKNOWN WORD

A: Há’át’ííshą’ __________ oolyé? What does __________ mean?

B: __________ éí ____________ oolyé. ____________ means _____________́

BY SAYING THE WORD IN ENGLISH

A: _________ éí haash wollyé dinék’ehjígo? How is it said in Navajo?

B: __________ wolyé. It is said __________.

where do you eat

A: Ałní ní’ą́’ háádishą ’íyą́ łeh?

Where do you eat at noon?

B: Da’adání ’ashą́ łeh.

I eat at a restaurant.

A: Abínígo háádishą ’íyą́ łeh?

Where do you eat in the morning?

B: ’Ólta’di ’ashą́ łeh.

I eat in the school.

A: ’I’íí’ą́ háádishą’ ’iyą́ łeh?

Where do you eat in the evening?

B: Honeeni bá haz’ą́di ’ashą́ łeh.

I eat at the part.

A: ’I’íí’ą́ háádishą’ nimá ’ayą́ łeh?

Where does your mom eat in the morning?

B: Honeeni bá haz’ą́di ’ayą́ łeh.

She eats at the park.

A: ’I’íí’ą́ háádishą’ nimá ’ayą́ łeh?

Where does your mom eat in the evening?

B: Honeeni bá haz’ą́di ’ayą́ łeh.

She eats at the park.

A: Ałní ní’ą́ háádishą’ nideezhí ’ayą́ łeh?

Where does your sister eat at noon?

B: Shideezhí azee’al’į́di ’ayą́ łeh.

She eats at the hospital.

A: Háádishą’ nibéégashii da’ayą́ łeh?

Where do your cows eat?

B: Shibéégashii hone’édi da’ayą́ łeh.

My cows eat inside.

plans for unemployment

A: Da nidíílnish?

When will you work?

B: Ńdaga, doo nideeshnish da, ’ákondi naashnish nisin.

No, I won’t work, but I want to work.

A: Da béésh bee haneʼé bee nidííneeł?

Will you play with the phone?

B: Ńdaga, doo nideeshneeł da, béésh bee hane’é doo be holǫ́ da.

No, I won’t play with the phone, I don’t have a phone.

A: Da íídííłtah?

Will you go to school?

B: Aoo, éí bininaa óltadi Internet tʼáá jííkʼego biniinaa.

Yes, I’ll go to school because at school Internet is free.

A: Da adíítł’óół?

When will you weave?

B: Ńdaga, doo adeeshtł’óół da, ákondi ak’e’deeshchííł.

No, I won’t weave, but I will write.

A: Há’át’íísh ak’e’diilchííł?

What will you write?

B: Ałchíní bee naaltsoos ak’edeeshchííł.

I’ll write books for children.

A: Da da’adánídi adííýíł?

Will you eat at restaurants?

B: Ńdaga, da’adánídi adeeshííł da. Hone’édi adeeshííł.

No, I won’t eat at restaurants. I’ll eat inside.

A: Áko da ch’iiyáán ádíílííł?

So you will prepare food?

B: Aoo’, ch’iiyáán adeeshłííł.

Yes, I’ll prepare food.

A: Da honeeni bá haz’ą́di nidíínaał?

Will you be around the park?

B: Aoo’, honeeni bá haz’ą́di nideeshnaał.

Yes, I’ll be around the park.

you and me, sg and 2

A: Da’ ________ łeh? (imperfective)

B: Ao’, _______ łeh.

ítł’ó / ashtł’ó (weaving) ootł’ó / íítł’ó
ííniłta’ / ííníshta’ (going to school) íínółta’ / ííníilta’
íyą́ / ashą́ (eating) ’ohsą́ / iidą́
ak’e’diłchí / ak’e’dishchí (writing) ak’e’oołchí / ak’e’iilchí
nanilnish / naashnish (working) naołnish / neiilnish
na’iłkǫ́ǫ́ / na’ashkǫ́ǫ́ (swimming) na’ołkǫ́ǫ́ / na’iilkǫ́ǫ́
naniné / naashné (playing) naołné / neiilné’

A: Da’ ___________? (perfective, past)

asínítł’ǫ́ / asetł’ǫ́ asootł’ǫ́ / asiitł’ǫ́
ííniłta’ / ííłta’ iinółta’ /ííníilta’
ííníyą́ą́ / íyą́ą́ ooyą́ą́ / iidą́ą́
ak’e’shiníłchį́ / ak’e’shełchį́ ak’e’shoołchį́ / ak’e’chiilchį́
nishínílnish / nishishnish nishoolnish / nishíílnish
ni’séłkǫ́ǫ́ / nisíníłkǫ́ǫ́ ni’soołkǫ́ǫ́ / ni’siiłkǫ́ǫ́
nisínílne’ / niséne’ nisoone’ / nisiine’

A: Da’ ___________? (perfective, future)

adíítł’óół / adeeshtł’óół adootł’óół / adiitł’óół
íídííniłta’ / íídeeshłta’ iidóołtah / iidíiltah
íídííyį́į́ł / ídeeshį́į́ł doosį́į́ł / didį́į́ł
ak’e’shiníłchííł / ak’e’shełchííł
ak’e’doołchííł / ak’e’diilchííł
nidíílnish / nadeeshnish nidoolnish / nidíílnish
ni’díílkóół / ni’deeshkóół ni’doołkóół / nidiilkóół
nidíínééł / nideeshnééł ni’doonééł / ni’diinééł

A: Há’át’íísh __________? (imperfective, present)

B: __________ (item) _____________.

yitł’ó / yistł’ó woohtł’ó / yiitł’ó
yíniłta’ / yiłta’ yínołta’ / yiníilta’
níyą́ / yishą́ wohsą́ / yiidą́
nídlą́ / yidlą́ wohdlą́ / yidlą́

items:

diyogí, ak’idahi niłi
naaltsoos, txił hane’, hane’ binaaltsoos, naaltsoos bee ’ida’al’iní
ch’il daadánígíí, abe’ yistíní, dibé bitsį, baah, baah łíkání, náneeskádí, dah diníilghaazh, ach’íí
tó dilchxoshí, tó, dééh, gohwééh, bizhééʼ hólóní, chʼil naʼatłʼoʼii

A: Há’át’íísh __________? (perfective, past)

B: __________ (item) _____________.

sínítł’ǫ́ / setł’ǫ́ soohtł’ǫ́ / siitł’ǫ́

yíniłta’ / yíłta’ wóołta’ / yíilta’

yiníyą́ą́ / yiyą́ą́ wooyą́ą́ / yiidą́ą́

yinídlą́ą́ / yidlą́ą́ woodlą́ą́ / yidlą́ą́

A: Da’ nik’is __________ łeh?

B: Ao’, shik’is ___________ łeh.

atł’ó, ’ółta’, naalnish, ___________ (food item), yiyą́, __________ (drink item) yidlą́, ak’e’e’chí

person

A: ’Adą́ą́dą́ą́ _____________?

B: Ao’, _____________.

aztł’ǫ́, yiyííłta’, ííyą́ą́, íídlą́ą́, ak’e’eschį́, naashnish, naaskǫ́ǫ́, naazné

A: Yizkánigo _____________?

B: Ao’, _____________.

’adootł’óół, ’íídoołta’, ’adooyį́į́ł, ’adoodlį́į́ł, nidoolnish, ak’e’doochííł, nidoołkóół. nidoołnééł.

who share activities with you

usually in the present:

A: Háísh bił ______________ łeh?

B: _____________ bił ________________ łeh.

ítł’ó / ashtł’ó (weaving) ootł’ó / íítł’ó
ííniłta’ / ííníshta’ (going to school) íínółta’ / ííníilta’
íyą́ / ashą́ (eating) ’ohsą́ / iidą́
ak’e’diłchí / ak’e’dishchí (writing) ak’e’oołchí / ak’e’iilchí
nanilnish / naashnish (working) naołnish / neiilnish
na’iłkǫ́ǫ́ / na’ashkǫ́ǫ́ (swimming) na’ołkǫ́ǫ́ / na’iilkǫ́ǫ́
naniné / naashné (playing) naołné / neiilné’

yesterday:

A: ’Adą́ą́dą́ą́ háísh bił ______________?

B: _____________ bił _______________.

asínítł’ǫ́ / asetł’ǫ́ asootł’ǫ́ / asiitł’ǫ́
ííniłta’ / ííłta’ iinółta’ /ííníilta’
ííníyą́ą́ / íyą́ą́ ooyą́ą́ / iidą́ą́
ak’e’shiníłchį́ / ak’e’shełchį́ ak’e’shoołchį́ / ak’e’chiilchį́
nishínílnish / nishishnish nishoolnish / nishíílnish
ni’séłkǫ́ǫ́ / nisíníłkǫ́ǫ́ ni’soołkǫ́ǫ́ / ni’siiłkǫ́ǫ́
nisínílne’ / niséne’ nisoone’ / nisiine’

tomorrow:

A: Yiskánigo háísh bił ______________?

B: _____________ bił _______________.

adíítł’óół / adeeshtł’óół adootł’óół / adiitł’óół
íídííniłta’ / íídeeshłta’ iidóołtah / iidíiltah
íídííyį́į́ł / ídeeshį́į́ł doosį́į́ł / didį́į́ł
ak’e’shiníłchííł / ak’e’shełchííł
ak’e’doołchííł / ak’e’diilchííł
nidíílnish / nadeeshnish nidoolnish / nidíílnish
ni’díílkóół / ni’deeshkóół ni’doołkóół / nidiilkóół
nidíínééł / nideeshnééł ni’doonééł / ni’diinééł

Complete with people:

sha’ółta’í=my teacher
shik’is=my friend
shóhólníhígíí=my boss, person in charge
naʼnitinii=coach, leader
hweʼasdzą́ą́=wife
shahastiin=my husband
hweʼatʼééd=girlfriend
hweʼeshkii=boyfriend
łį́į́ʼ=horse, pet
shikʼéí=my relative
’ádin=no one, alone?

talk about health

A: Nitah yá’áhoot’ééh?

B: Aoo, shitah yá’áhoot’ééh. OR Aoo, yá’ánisht’ééh.

Ndaga, shitah hashį́į́ hoot’é.

Person asks the doctor if her body functions are good. Doctor finds everything good.

Azee’ííł’íní=A

bááh ’á’alééh=B

B: Shitsą́’ashk’azhí yá’áhoot’ééh?

A: Aoo, nitsą́’ ’ashk’azhí yá’áhoot’ééh.

B: Shijéí yilzólíí yá’áhoot’ééh?

B: Aoo, nijéí yilzólíí yá’áhoot’ééh.

Parts of the body in the me-form:

Shitsą́’áshk’azhí=my kidneys
Shibid=my stomach
Shijéí yilzólii=my lungs
Shijéídishjool=my heart
Shííshgháán=backbone
Shizid=my liver
Shitsą́’shjish=my diaphragm
Shits’id=my tendons
Shikétsíín=my ancles
Shilátsíín=my wrists
Shitsiits’iin=my head

Person is tired that their friend complains a lot about minor pains even on parts of the body that are not subject to pain.

A: Shik’is bitah hashį́į́ hoot’é. Bits’íís diniih.

B: Da bi’anádiz diniih?

A: Aoo’, bi’anádiz diniih.

bi’anádiz=his lashes
bi’tsii’=his hair
biyaats’iin=his chin
bich’ozhlaa=his elbow
biniitsį=his cheeks
bilátsíín=his wrist
bikétł’ááh=his sole
bich’áayah=his armpit
biláshghaan=his finger nails
bich’ozhlaa=his arm

where you went for a trip

A: Haagóósh nisíníyá?

B: ___________ (place) góó niśeyá.

C: Haagóósh (name of B) naayá?

A: ___________( place) góó naayá.

A: Da ní dóó _________ (name) __________(place) góó nishooʼáázh?

B: Ndaga, ____________ (place) góó doo nishiitʼáázh da.

C: Da (name of B and friend) ___________ (place) góó naazh’áázh?

B: Ndaga, ____________ (place) doo naazhʼáázh da.

A: Haagóósh nik’é nisoohkai?

B: ____________ (place) nisiikai.

C: Da bik’é naaskai?

A: Bik’é _____________ (place) naaskai.

Add names of cities in Navajo land in Navajo

Shiprock=Naatʼáanii Nééz / Tsé bit’a’í
Window Rock=Tségháhoodzání
Phoenix=Hoozdoh
Albuquerque= Beeʼeldííldahsinil
Gallup= Naʼnízhoozh
Tuba City= Tó Naneesdizí
Chinle=Chínlį́
Mountains:
Blanca Peak=Sis Naajiní
Mount Taylor=Tsoodził
San Francisco Peaks=Dook’o’oosłííd
Mount Hesperus=Dibé Nitsaa

States:

California= Ahééhíshííh
New Mexico= Yootó hahoodzo
Arizona= Hoozdo hahoodzo
Colorado= Dibé nitsaa hahoodzo
Utah= Áshįįh bii’tó hahoodzo

Regions:

Naakai bikéyah=A Hispanic speaking country
Łizhiní bikéyah =Africa
Béésh bichʼahníí bikéyah = Europe

when they’re getting paid

A: chidí ’álnéí’í, B: naalyéhí ba sídáhí

A: Béeso doo shee holǫ́ da. Hahgo shich’į́’ ni’ílyé?

B: Dį́į́jį́ nda’anish nich’į́’ ni’ílyé.

Include different days of week:

Damóo: Sunday
Damóo Biiskání: Monday
Damóo Dóó Naaki Jí̜ Nida’anish: Tuesday
Damóo Dóó Tágí Jí̜ Nida’anish: Wednesday
Damóo Dóó Naaki Jí̜ Nida’anish: Thursday
Damóo Dóó Naaki Jí̜ Nida’anish: Friday
Damóo Dóó Naaki Jí̜ Nida’anish: Saturday

Can change to plural +3 like speaking on behalf of a group.

A: Béeso doo nihee holǫ́ da. Hahgo nihich’į́’ nda’ílyé?

B: Dį́į́jį́ nda’anish nihich’į́’ nida’iilyé.

what professions do

A: Há’át’íísh binanilnish?

B: Chidí ’ánéíl’íní binaashnish.

A: Háádishą́’ nanilnish?

B: Chidí ’ánídaal’į́įgi naashnish.

A: Há’át’íísh bá naniná?

B: Chidí ’ánáshdlééh.

’awoo’ yinaa’nishí / azee’ál’į́įgi / ’awoo’ baa ’áháshą́
’azee’ííł’íní / ’azee’ál’íigi / bíla’ashdla’í baa ’áháshyą́
halné’í / sodizin bá hoghangi / Diyin Bizaad yínishta’
ha’asidí / kingi / haasííd
hoogha ííł’íní / dahooghangi / hooghan ashłééh
naalyéhí ya sidáhí / naalyéhí bá hooghangi / béeso yíníshta’ OR daané’é nahashniih
siláo / ’awáalyahgi / ’awáalyah haasííd
na’niłkaadii / dibé bá hooghan / dibé baa ’áháshyą́
taa naaznilí / ’áłah nádleehdi / naat’áanii baa yáshti’
hataałii / hooghan nímásí / sodiszin
atl’óhí / naalyéhí bá hooghan / ashtł’óh
akał bistłéé’í / hootso / béégashii baa ’áháłshą́
atsidí / t’aadoo le’é’ ’ál’ínígi / ílį́įgo naalyéhé ashlééh

what are you doing

A: Há’át’ííshą’ baa naniná?

What are you doing?

Doo baa naasháhí da. I’m doing nothing.
Naashnish. I’m working.
Ííníshta. I’m studying.
Naashné. I’m playing.
Shinaanish hólǫ́. I have to work.
’Ashą́. I’m eating.
T’óó sédá. (Yazzie, p. 23) I’m just sitting here.
Diyogí yishtł’oh. I’m weaving a rug.
Bee béésh bee hane’é shimá bich’į’ yáshti’. I’m talking to mom over the phone.
Shitshii’ shá yishbizh. (Neundorf, p. 123) I’m braiding my hair.
Aghaał yisdiz. (Neundorf, p. 221) I’m spinning wool.
Hanáshyį́į́h. (Neundorf, p. 800) I’m resting.
Na’alki nish’į́. (Neundorf, p. 406) I’m watching a movie.
Łe’eshbéézh. (Neundorf, p. 115) I’m baking corn.
Gohwééh yishbéézh. (Neundorf, p. 113) I’m boiling coffee.
’Ash’aał. (Neundorf, p. 77) I’m eating corn.
Shimá bich’į’ ak’e’eshchí. (Neundorf, p. 141) I am writing to my mother.
Níłch’i naalki yineeł’į́. (RS, Unit 3) I’m watching TV.

where you’re going

A: Háágóóshą’ díníyá? Where are you going?

Hooghangóó déyá. I’m going home.
’Ólta’góó déyá. I’m going to the school.
Kingóó déyá. I’m going to town.
Naalyéhí bá hoghangóó déyá. I’m going to the trading post/store.
Ch’aa déyá. I’m going on a trip.
Da’adánígóó déyá. I’m going to the restaurant.
Honeeni bá haz’ą́ góó déyá. I’m going to the park.

when do you usually…

A: Hahgo í’aał łeh? When do you eat corn?

B: Abínígo ’ash’aał łeh. (CDB, Neundorf, p. 77) I eat corn in the morning.

A: Hahgo níníł’į́ łeh? When do you see a movie?

B: Tł’éégo n’al ki nish’į́ łeh. (Neundorf, p. 406) I’m watch a movie in the night.

A: Hahgo háánílyį́į́h łeh? When do you rest?

’I’íí’ą́go hanáshyį́į́h łeh. (Neundorf, p. 800) I’m resting in the evening.

A: Hahgo gohwééh niłbéézh łeh? When do you boil coffee?

B: Abínígo gohwééh yishbéézh łeh. (Neundorf, p. 113) I boil coffee in the morning.

A: Hahgo aghaał nidiz łeh? When do you spin wool?

B: Ałní’ni’ą́ą́ dóó bik’i jįgo aghaał yisdiz łeh (Neundorf, p. 221) I spin wool in the afternoon.