Original Navajo Code
The following is a list of 263 terms created by the first 32 Navajos enrolled
in the Marine Corps Communication School located at Camp Elliott.
Alphabet
Alphabet |
Navajo |
Meaning |
A |
Wol-la-chee |
Ant |
B |
Shush |
Bear |
C |
Moasi |
Cat |
D |
Be |
Deer |
E |
Dzeh |
Elk |
F |
Ma-e |
Fox |
G |
Klizzie |
Goat |
H |
Lin |
Horse |
I |
Tkin |
Ice |
J |
Tkele-cho-gi |
Jackass |
K |
Klizzie-yazzie |
Kid |
L |
Dibeh-yazzie |
Lamb |
M |
Na-as-tso-si |
Mouse |
N |
Nesh-chee |
Nut |
O |
Ne-ahs-jah |
Owl |
P |
Bi-sodih |
Pig |
Q |
Ca-yeilth |
Quiver |
R |
Gah |
Rabbit |
S |
Dibeh |
Sheep |
T |
Than-zie |
Turkey |
U |
No-da-ih |
Ute |
V |
A-keh-di-glini |
Victor |
W |
Gloe-ih |
Weasel |
X |
Al-an-as-dzoh |
Cross |
Y |
Tsah-as-zih |
Yucca |
Z |
Besh-do-gliz |
Zinc |
Military Designations
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Corps |
Din-neh-ih |
Clan |
Division |
Ashi-hi |
Salt |
Regiment |
Tabaha |
Edge-water |
Battalion |
Tacheene |
Red
Soil |
Company |
Nakia |
Mexican |
Platoon |
Has-clish-nih |
Mud |
Section |
Yo-ih |
Beads |
Squad |
Dibeh-li-zini |
Black
Sheep |
Communications
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Telephone |
Besh-hal-ne-ih |
Telephone |
Switchboard |
Ya-ih-e-tih-ih |
Central |
Wire |
Besh-le-chee-ih |
Copper |
Telegraph |
Besh-le-chee-ih
Be-hane-ih |
Communication
By Copper Wire |
Semaphore |
Dah-ha-a-tah-ih
Be-hane-ih |
Flag
Signals |
Blinker |
Coh-nil-kol-lih |
Fire
Blinder |
Radio |
Nil-chi-hal-ne-ih |
Radio |
Panels |
Az-kad-be-ha-ne-ih |
Carpet
Signals |
Officers
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Brigadier
General |
So-a-la-ih |
One
Star |
Major
General |
So-na-kih |
Two
Stars |
Colonel |
Astah-besh-le-gai |
Silver
Eagle |
Lt.
Colonel |
Che-chil-be-tah-besh-le-gai |
Silver
Oak Leaf |
Major |
Che-chil-be-tah-ola |
Gold
Oak Leaf |
Captain |
Besh-le-gai-nah-kih |
Two
Silver Bars |
1st
Lieutenant |
Besh-le-gai-a-lah-ih |
One
Silver Bar |
2nd
Lieutenant |
Ola-alah-ih-ni-ahi |
One
Gold Bar |
Airplanes
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Airplanes |
Wo-tah-de-ne-ih |
Air
Corps |
Dive
Bomber |
Gini |
Chicken
Hawk |
Torpedo
Plane |
Tas-chizzie |
Swallow |
Observation
Plane |
Ne-as-jah |
Owl |
Fighter
Plane |
Da-he-tih-hi |
Hummingbird |
Bomber |
Jay-sho |
Buzzard |
Patrol
Plane |
Ga-gih |
Crow |
Transport
Plane |
Astah |
Eagle |
Ships
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Ships |
Toh-dineh-ih |
Water
Clan Fleet |
Battleship |
Lo-tso |
Whale |
Aircraft
Carrier |
Tsidi-ney-ye-hi |
Bird
Carrier |
Submarine |
Besh-lo |
Iron
Fish |
Mine
Sweeper |
Cha |
Beaver |
Destroyer |
Ca-lo |
Shark |
Transport |
Dineh-nay-ye-hi |
Man
Carrier |
Cruiser |
Lo-tso-yazzie |
Small
Whale |
Mosquito
Boat |
Tse-e |
Mosquito |
Months
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
January |
Yas-nil-tes |
Crusted
Snow |
February |
Astah-be-yaz |
Small
Eagle |
March |
Woz-cheind |
Squeaky
Voice |
April |
Tsha-chill |
Small
Plant |
May |
Tah-tso |
Big
Plant |
June |
Be-ne-eh-eh-jah-tso |
Big
Planting |
July |
Be-ne-ta-tsosie |
Small
Harvest |
August |
Be-neen-ta-tso |
Big
Harvest |
September |
Ghan-jih |
Half |
October |
Nil-chi-tsosie |
Small
Wind |
November |
Nil-chi-tso |
Big
Wind |
December |
Kesh-mesh |
Christmas |
Countries
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Africa |
Zhin-ni |
Blackies |
Alaska |
Beh-hga |
With
Winter |
America |
Ne-he-mah |
Our
Mother |
Australia |
Cha-yes-desi |
Rolled
Hat |
Britain |
Toh-ta |
Bounded By Water |
China |
Ceh-yehs-besi |
Braided
Hair |
France |
Da-gha-hi |
Beard |
Germany |
Besh-be-cha-he |
Iron
Hat |
Iceland |
Tkin-ke-yah |
Ice
Land |
India |
Ah-le-gai |
White
Clothes |
Italy |
Doh-ha-chi-yali-tchi |
Stutter |
Japan |
Beh-na-ali-tsoisi |
Slant
Eyed |
Philippines |
Keyah-da-na-ilhe |
Floating
Land |
Russia |
Sila-goche-ih |
Red
Army |
South
America |
Sha-de-ah-ne-mah |
South
Our Mother |
Spain |
Debeh-de-nih |
Sheep/Pain |
General Vocabulary
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Action |
Ah-ha-tinh |
Action |
Advance |
Nas-say |
Ahead |
Airdrome |
Nilchi-began |
Air
House |
Alert |
Ha-ih-des-ee |
Watchful |
Allies |
Nih-hi-cho |
Our
Friends |
Along |
Wol-la-chee-snez |
Long
Ant |
Also |
Eh-do |
Also |
Alternate |
Na-kee-go-ne-nan-dey-he |
Second
Position |
Amphibious |
Chal |
Frog |
And |
Do |
And |
Annex |
Ih-nay-tani |
Addition |
Approach |
Bi-chi-ol-dah |
Moving
To |
Are |
Gah-tso |
Large
Rabbit |
Armored |
Besh-ye-ha-da-di-teh |
Iron
Protected |
Arrive |
Il-day |
Came |
Army |
Lei-cha-ih-yil-knee-hi |
Dog
Faces |
Artillery |
Be-al-doh-tso-lani |
Many
Big Guns |
As |
Ache |
Ace |
Assault |
Altseh-e-jah-he |
First
Strike |
Attached |
A-hid-day-tih |
Attached |
Available |
Ta-shoz-teh-ih |
Available |
Battery |
Bih-be-al-doh-tka-ih |
Three
Guns |
Base |
Bih-tsee-dih |
Foundation |
Be |
Tses-nah |
Bee |
Been |
Tse-nah-nesh-chee |
Bee/Nut |
Before |
Bih-tse-dih |
Prior |
Begin |
Ha-hol-ziz |
Start |
Belong |
Tse-nah-snez |
Long
Bee |
Block |
Da-dey-than |
Block |
Bombs |
A-ye-shi |
Eggs |
By |
Be-gah |
By |
Camp |
To-alsteh-hogan |
Temporary
House |
Camouflage |
Di-nesh-ih |
Hide |
Can |
Yah-di-zini |
Can |
Cannoneer |
Be-al-doh-tso-dey-dil-don-igi |
Big
Gun Operator |
Capacity |
Be-nel-ah |
Capacity |
Capitol |
Tkah-chae |
Sweat
House |
Captured |
Yis-nah |
Captured |
Casualty |
Bih-din-ne-day |
Out
Of Action |
Class |
Alth-a-a-teh |
Class |
Coast
Guard |
Ta-bas-dsissi |
Shore
Runner |
Code |
Yil-tas |
Peck |
Column |
Alth-kay-ni-zih |
Column |
Combat |
Da-ah-jih-gahn |
Fighting |
Combination |
Al-tkas-ei |
Mixed |
Commander |
Bih-keh-he |
Senior |
Commanding
Officer |
Hash-kay-gi-na-tah |
War
Chief |
Concentrate |
Ta-la-hi-jih |
One
Place |
Confidential |
Na-nil-in |
Keep
Secret |
Conquered |
A-keh-des-dlin |
Won |
Convoy |
Tkal-kah-o-nei |
Move
On Water |
Counter-attack |
Woltah-al-ki-gi-jeh |
Counter-act |
Creek |
Toh-nil-tsanh |
Little
Water |
Debouchment |
Dzilth-gahn-ih |
Apache |
Defense |
Ah-kin-gil-toh |
Defend |
Department |
Hogan |
Central
House |
Dispositions |
A-ho-tay |
Disposition |
Displace |
Hih-do-nal |
Move |
Do |
Tse-le |
Small
Pup |
Echelon |
Who-dzoh |
Line |
Engineer |
Day-dil-jah-hi |
Fire
Builder |
Enlist |
Bih-zih-a-da-yi-lah |
Signature |
Escape |
A-zeh-ha-ge-yah |
Escape |
Establish |
Has-tay-dzah |
Set
Up |
Estimate |
Bih-ke-tse-shod-des-kez |
Guess |
Execute |
A-do-nil |
Will
Happen |
Fail |
Cha-al-cind |
Fail |
Field |
Clo-dih |
Outside |
Fire |
Coh |
Fire |
Flank |
Dah-di-kad |
Side |
Flare |
Wo-chi |
Light
Streak |
Grenades |
Ni-ma-si |
Potatoes |
Guard |
Ni-dih-da-hi |
Guard |
Have |
Jo |
Have |
Headquarters |
Na-ha-tah-ba-hogan |
Main
House |
Hospital |
A-zey-al-hi |
Place
Of Medicine |
Install |
Ehd-thah |
Put
In |
Invade |
A-tah-gi-nah |
Move
Into |
Is |
Seis |
Seven |
Island |
Seis-keyah |
Seven
Land |
Left |
Nish-cla-jih |
Left |
Location |
A-kew-eh |
Spot |
Machine
Gun |
A-knah-as-dinih |
Rapid
Fire Gun |
Magnetic |
Na-e-lahi
|
Pick
Up Iron |
Maneuver |
Na-na-o-nalth |
Move
Around |
Manufacture |
Besh-be-eh-el-ih-dih |
Metal
Factory |
Mechanic |
Chiti-a-nayl-inih |
Car
Repairman |
Message |
Hane-al-neh |
Message |
Military |
Sila-go-keh-goh |
Soldiers |
Mine |
Ha-gade |
Mine |
Mortar |
Be-al-doh-cid-da-hi |
Sitting
Gun |
Navy |
Tal-kah-sila-go |
Sea
Soldiers |
Not |
Ni-dah-than-zie |
No/Turkey |
Objective |
Bi-ne-yei |
Goal |
Observed |
Hal-zid |
Seen |
Occurred |
Yeel-tsod |
Taken |
Of |
Toh-ni-tkal-lo |
Ocean
Fish |
Or |
Eh-dodah-goh |
Either |
Order |
Be-eh-ho-zini |
Direct |
Ordinance |
Lei-az-iah |
Underground |
Overlay |
Be-ka-has-tsoz |
Over
Lap |
Parenthesis |
Astanh |
Rib |
Penalize |
Tah-ni-des-tanh |
Set
Back |
Primary |
Altseh-nan-day-hi-gih |
1st
Position |
Proceed |
Nay-nih-jih |
Go |
Protect |
Ah-chanh |
Self
Defense |
Railhead |
A-do-geh-hi |
Shipping
& Receiving Point |
Rally |
A-lah-na-o-glalth |
Gathering |
Range |
An-zeh |
Distance |
Reached |
Baz-ni-tsood |
Reached |
Reconnaissance |
Ha-a-cidi |
Inspector |
Reinforce |
Nal-dzil |
Reinforce |
Relieved |
Nah-jih-co-nal-ya |
Remove |
Replacement |
Ni-na-do-nil |
Replacement |
Report |
Who-neh |
Got
Words |
Representative |
Tka-naz-nili |
Triple
Men |
Request |
Jo-kayed-goh |
Ask
For |
Retreat |
Ji-din-ned-chanh |
Move
Back |
River |
Toh-yil-kal |
Much
Water |
Route |
Gah-bih-tkeen |
Rabbit
Trail |
Runner |
Nih-dzid-teih |
Runner |
Sabotage |
A-tkel-yah |
Hinder |
Saboteur |
A-tkel-el-ini |
Troublemaker |
Sailors |
Cha-le-gai |
White
Caps |
Seamen |
Tkal-kah-dineh-ih |
Seamen |
Secret |
Bah-has-tkin |
Secret |
Side |
Bosh-keesh |
Side |
Signal |
Na-eh-eh-gish |
By
Sign |
Shell |
Be-al-doh-be-ca |
Shell |
Short |
Be-oh |
Short |
Space |
Be-tkah |
Between |
Stream |
Toh-ni-lin |
Running
Water |
Submerged |
Tkal-cla-yi-yah |
Under
Water |
Submit |
A-nih-leh |
Send |
Such |
Yis-cleh |
Socks |
Supplementary |
Tka-go-ne-nan-dey-he |
3rd
Position |
Supply |
Nal-yeh-hi |
Supply |
Territory |
Ke-yah |
Land |
That |
Than-zie-cha |
Turkey
Hat |
The |
Cha-gee |
Blue
Jay |
There |
Bih |
There |
They |
Ni-ghai |
They |
Together |
Ta-bil |
With |
Torpedo |
Lobe-ca |
Fish
Shell |
Tracer |
Beh-na-al-kah-hi |
Track |
Traffic
Diagram |
Hane-ba-na-as-dzoh |
Story
Line |
Troops |
Nal-deh-hi |
Troops |
Unit |
Da-az-jah |
Bunch |
Vicinity |
Na-hos-ah-gih |
There
About |
Was |
Ne-teh |
Was |
Weapons |
Beh-dah-a-hi-jah-geni |
Weapons |
Zone |
Bah-na-has-dzoh |
Area |
Punctuation
Word |
Navajo |
Literal
Translation |
Colon
: |
Naki-alh-deh-da-al |
Two
Spots |
Comma
, |
Tsa-na-dahl |
Tail |
Dash
- |
Us-dzoh |
Dash |
Parenthesis
() |
Astsanh |
Rib |
Period
. |
Da-ahl-zin |
Black
Spot |
Question
? |
Ah-jah |
Ear |
Semi
Colon ; |
Da-ahl-zhin
Bi-tsa Na-dahl |
Spot
Tail |
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(Thanks to Becky for her help with this page)