Proverbial expression or phrase
Kaltxì nìmun! Hello again! (naviteri.org, 2025-11-19) View all from source
Ay'u akeri
Lekxu to tseri.
Fierce words can be more harmful than you think.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vospìkin Lefpom! Happy July! (naviteri.org, 2025-06-30) View all from source
Tute aketstun slivu 'eylan ke tsun.
An unkind person cannot be a friend.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mevosìnga lì’u amip Twenty new words (naviteri.org, 2025-03-30) View all from source
zup nemfa tsup.
Don't fall into the chasm.
(That is, don't fall into the trap that someone has laid for you.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Idiom about wasting (forum.learnnavi.org, 2024-12-23) View all from source
na fkxen eo fkio
like vegetable food before a tetrapteron
(It's used in the sense of 'to go to waste.' Tetrapterons are predators and have no use for vegetable-based food. If you place vegetables before them, that food will go to waste.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mipa zìsìt, aylì’u amip New year, new words (naviteri.org, 2023-12-31) View all from source
Ngäzìk fwa fkol rumit aku'up peykuwup.
It's hard to bounce a heavy ball.
(That is, it's difficult to make someone who is stubborn or inept do what you want them to.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
’A’awa aylì’u sì aylì’fyavi amip. A few new words and expressions. (naviteri.org, 2023-09-30) View all from source
Tslikx, ran, tul;
Ftu ne tsan'ul.
Crawl, walk, run;
from level to level get better.
(The meaning is that when learning something new, you have to proceed from step to step: baby steps first, then bigger ones.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
’A’awa aylì’u sì aylì’fyavi amip. A few new words and expressions. (naviteri.org, 2023-09-30) View all from source
na txim a txìm
like a thorn in the butt
(that is, something extremely annoying)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Reef Na’vi part 2: Morphology, Syntax, Lexicon . . . and more (naviteri.org, 2023-05-05) View all from source
Ngari peu?
(What's wrong? What's the matter?)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Zola’u nìprrte’, ma 3746°! Welcome, 2022! (naviteri.org, 2021-12-31) View all from source
Tse'a tìk yawne
(Love at first sight)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
'Awsiteng lu mefo lanay'ka.
They are a slinger (together).
(Calling two people a slinger praises how well they work together and complement each other.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
'Uori pey, kxawm ngaru ke ley.
If you hesitate doing something, it might not be important to you.
(Of course, we often hesitate with things that are in fact important to us, because we're afraid to fail. So this proverb is more meant/used as a motivation for someone hesitating, or even as a teasing to get someone into action)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
(na) fwampop fkip wopx
(Like) a tapirus in the clouds
(“Fish out of water”; something or someone out of their usual element or comfort zone.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
(na) lanay'ka luke re'o
Like a slinger without a head
(Like a slinger without a head—i.e., completely lost.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
Hahaw 'aw txo palukan smivon ngar.
Only sleep if you are familiar with the Thanator.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
Ke kur fko fa kxetse.
One can't hang by a tail.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
Kxetse 'ong!
Slow tail!
(That is, “Don't get angry.” When the Na'vi get angry, their tails whip around, so “slow down your tail” is another way to say calm down.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
Kxìm utuftu fnawe'tu.
A coward commands from the canopy.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
Spä skxawng sìn 'ana aflì.
A fool jumps onto a thin vine.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
yerik (a) yrrap
Hexapede in a storm
(a metaphor or simile representing extreme panic, anxiety or timidity.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Ulte ayyora’tu leiu . . . And the winners are . . . (naviteri.org, 2021-08-15) View all from source
zawr (a) na'rìng
an animal cry in the forest
(Old news)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mipa säwäsultsyìp ahì’i A new little contest (naviteri.org, 2021-06-30) View all from source
Fwä ke fwefwi.
A mantis doesn't whistle.
(Don't expect someone to do something that's not in their nature.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mipa säwäsultsyìp ahì’i A new little contest (naviteri.org, 2021-06-30) View all from source
Fya'o angäzìk ne kum akosman.
(All's well that ends well).
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mipa säwäsultsyìp ahì’i A new little contest (naviteri.org, 2021-06-30) View all from source
Kxetse mikyun kop plltxe.
The tail and ears also speak.
(The idea is that someone's words might not match their attitude, expression, behavior, etc.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vospxìvopeyä aylì’u amip November’s new words (naviteri.org, 2020-11-16) View all from source
yewn yaw
an expression of love.
(It's a set phrase used when giving a gift to a loved one or making a gesture of affection like a kiss or caress.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
’A’awa Lì’u sì Lì’fyavi Amip. A Few New Words and Expressions. (naviteri.org, 2019-08-31) View all from source
Po keynven sìn ketse.
He steps on tails.
(I.e. He is socially awkward.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mrrvola Lì’fyavi Amip—Forty New Expressions (naviteri.org, 2016-06-30) View all from source
Koakturi kewanti keyìl ke wan.
An old person's face doesn't hide their age.
(That is, Some things can't be covered up.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vomuna Lì’u Amip—Ten New Words (naviteri.org, 2015-11-30) View all from source
pey taronyu, hifwo yerik.
The hunter hesitates and the hexapede escapes.
(Proverbial expression. Cf.: “He who hesitates is lost.”)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Kap sì ayunil saylahe. Threats, dreams, and other things. (naviteri.org, 2015-03-31) View all from source
Hem asrunga' 'ul, hum asngunga' nän.
More helpful actions lead to less troubling outcomes.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Kap sì ayunil saylahe. Threats, dreams, and other things. (naviteri.org, 2015-03-31) View all from source
Tìktseri lu meyp.
Lack of awareness is (a form of) weakness.
Proverbial expression or phrase
Twenty before the Holidays (naviteri.org, 2014-11-30) View all from source
(Na) kenten kumpay
(like) a fan lizard in gel
(The sense is one of being in an environment where you're prevented from acting naturally or doing what you want to do.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Twenty before the Holidays (naviteri.org, 2014-11-30) View all from source
(Na) loreyu 'awnampi
(like) a touched helicoradian
(The analogy is used to indicate extreme shyness.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Value and Worth (naviteri.org, 2014-03-31) View all from source
Flä ke flä, ley fmi.
Whether you succeed or not, the attempt has value.
Proverbial expression or phrase
’On sì Salewfya—Shapes and Directions (naviteri.org, 2013-09-30) View all from source
Set pesalewfya?
What do we do now?
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vospxì Ayol, Postì Apup—Short Post for a Short Month (naviteri.org, 2013-02-28) View all from source
Fwa kan ke tam; zene swizawit livonu.
To aim is not enough; one must release the arrow.
(Intent is not enough; it's action that counts.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vospxì Ayol, Postì Apup—Short Post for a Short Month (naviteri.org, 2013-02-28) View all from source
Txìm a'aw ke tsun hiveyn tal mefa'liyä.
One butt can't sit on the backs of two direhorses.
(You can't take both positions or sit on the fence; you need to decide.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Snewsyea Ftxozä Hälowinä—A Spooky Halloween (naviteri.org, 2012-10-31) View all from source
Ke tsun fko tspivang torukit fa fwa pewnti snew.
You can't kill a great leonopteryx by constricting its throat.
(Proverbial expression for a method that will not work.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Tskxekengtsyìp a Mikyunfpi–A Little Listening Exercise (naviteri.org, 2012-07-29) View all from source
Nitram 'aw!
Happy only!
(Na'vi toast)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Fìvospxìyä Aylì’fyavi Amip—This Month’s New Expressions, Pt. 2 (naviteri.org, 2012-07-19) View all from source
sre fwa sngap zize'
before the hellfire wasp stings
(as quickly as possible)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Spring Vocabulary, Part 3 (naviteri.org, 2012-06-19) View all from source
Kem amuiä, kum afe'.
Proper action, bad result.
(Said when something that should have turned out well didn't. Can include the idea, “Well, my/our/your/his/her/their heart was in the right place.”)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Mipa Zìsìt, Aylì’u Amip — New Words for the New Year (naviteri.org, 2012-01-09) View all from source
Txo ke yo' tsakrr yol.
(If you can't be flawless, at least be brief.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Miscellaneous Vocabulary (naviteri.org, 2011-09-24) View all from source
fpìl asteng, kan ateng.
(Great minds think alike.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Makto zong! (forum.learnnavi.org, 2010-08-31) View all from source
Makto zong.
(take care, travel safely.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Makto zong! (forum.learnnavi.org, 2010-08-31) View all from source
Mivakto zawnong.
(take care, travel safely.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Fmawno (forum.learnnavi.org, 2010-08-24) View all from source
Ngari txe'lan mawey livu.
(don't worry (about it))
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vocabulary update (naviteri.org, 2010-07-16) View all from source
Etrìpa syayvi!
Good luck!
Proverbial expression or phrase
Vocabulary update (naviteri.org, 2010-07-16) View all from source
Ätxäle si palulukanur tsnì smarit livonu.
Ask a thanator to release its prey.
(Refers to a futile gesture, an attempt to achieve something that might be desirable but will clearly not happen. In conversation it's usually shortened to Ätxäle pa(lu)lukanur.)
Proverbial expression or phrase
Diminutives; Conversational Expressions (naviteri.org, 2010-07-11) View all from source
Seykxel nitram!
Strong and happy!
(That is, may you derive strength and happiness from this event, accomplishment, etc.)