shah shin

The Navajo word sha’shin comes at the end of a statement and is translated commonly as “maybe” or “I think”.

In speaking, it sounds also like the ‘a’ is nasalized, like shą’shin. -shą’ itself is a particle that is used to mean “what about…?” (eg. “Nishą’?” – “What about you?”).

Most of the time, it relies on context. For example, you and a friend are noticing students outside of school during the day. One turns to the other and says “I guess it’s spring break.” Other needs for ‘maybe’ (eg. “There are maybe/about 30 sheep in his flock.”) have other more appropriate forms, like daats’í.