ẹrin keekee

head

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

yo-pos

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

yo-noun

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

ẹ̀rín kèékèé

/ɛ̀.ɾĩ́ kèé kèé/

EYÍN rẹ ṣe pàtàkì! Wọ́n wúlò fún ọ nígbà tí o bá ń jẹun àti nígbà tí o bá ń sọ̀rọ̀, wọ́n tún kó ipa pàtàkì kan nínú ẹ̀rín músẹ́ tàbí ẹ̀rín kèékèé tí ó gún régé.

1998, “Iṣẹ́ Ìṣàtúntò Eyín—Kí Ni Ó Ní Nínú?”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

YOUR teeth are important! You need them for eating and for speaking, and they are also an important part of a pleasant smile or laugh.


ẹrin kẹẹkẹẹ

head

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

yo-pos

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

/ɛ̀.ɾĩ́ kɛ̀ɛ́.kɛ̀ɛ́/

From ẹ̀rín (“laughter”) + kèékèé (“onomatopoeic imitation of laughter”).

ẹ̀rín kkk etc

and so on, depending on the supposed length of the laugh

(chiefly Internet, text messaging) Alternative form of ẹ̀rín kèékèé (“hahaha; lol (laughter)”)


ẹrin kẹẹkẹẹ

head

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

yo-pos

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

yo-noun

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

/ɛ̀.ɾĩ́ kɛ̀ɛ́.kɛ̀ɛ́/

Ẹ̀rín kẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́ 😁 rèé lẹ́nu Minisita [Mínísítà] Raji Fashola tó jẹ́ gómìnà àná ní Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó àti Gómìnà Akinwumi Ambode
These grins [Beaming Face with Smiling Eyes Emoji] on the faces of Minister Raji Fashola, a previous governor of Lagos State and Governor Akinwumi Ambode

Alternative form of ẹ̀rín kèékèé (“laugh; giggle; grin”)


awoko

igbó kò ń pa ohùn mọ́ àwòko lẹ́nu

The forest or bush cannot shut up the voice of the nightingale (proverb against unwarranted intimidation)

The nightingale bird, known in Yoruba proverbs for its beautiful singing


alaṣẹrẹ

/ā.lá.ʃɛ̀.ɾɛ́/

Standard-winged nightjar or Pennant-winged nightjar, traditionally believed to be carry the lightning of the thunder god Ọ̀rámfẹ̀


ilẹkẹ

→ Portuguese: ileké

→ English: ileke

→ Spanish: eleke

Wọ́n ń so ìlẹ̀kẹ̀ tí ó já

They were stringing the beads that snapped

beads, usually worn as necklaces and bracelets by royalty or traditional priests, ìlẹ̀kẹ̀ often specifically refers to coral beads


aroko

Tí obìnrin tàbí ọkùnrin bá ránṣẹ́ òòyà bí àrokò sẹ́ni kejì wọn, ó túmọ̀ sí pé wọ́n fẹ́ pínyà ipò tọkọtaya

If a man or a woman sends a comb as a symbolic message, it means that they intend to separate from their marriage

Baṣọ̀run Gáà fi ẹyin oódẹ pàrokò ránṣẹ́ sí Aláàfin

Basorun Gaa used a parrot egg as a symbolic message to the Alaafin. (This symbolic message means that the Alaafin should either abdicate or commit ritual suicide)

In traditional Yoruba society, a symbolic message sent as a form of communication between two entities. The purpose of the àrokò was to send a secret message in which only the two entities communicating would understand what the contents of the àrokò meant.


jagunjagun

/d͡ʒā.ɡũ̄.d͡ʒā.ɡũ̄/

Reduplication of jà ogun (“to fight war”, literally “One who fights war”)


Alara

oní- (“one who has”) + Ará (“Ara”), literally “One who has Ara”

af

an ancient title of a legendary king mentioned in the, Odù Ifá and closely associated with 2 other rulers, Ajerò and Ọ̀ràngún.

Title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

Title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ará-Èkìtì


Alaye

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Òde-Rẹ́mọ


Alepata

The official title of the traditional ruler Ìgbòho town in present day Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Aragbiji

/ā.ɾá.ɡ͡bì.d͡ʒí/

a- (“agent prefix”) + Ìrágbìjí (“Iragbiji”), literally “One who has Iragbiji”

The title of the traditional ruler of Ìrágbìjí town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria


Asẹyin

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of traditional ruler of Ìsẹ́yìn in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Alaaye

The title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ẹfọ̀n-Alààyè in Èkìtì State of Nigeria


Dagbure

/dá.ɡ͡bū.ɾē/

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìdowá in the Ìjẹ̀bú region


Elegosi

oní- (“one who has”) + Egòsì (“Egosi”), literally “One who has Egosi”

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Egòsì in Èkìtì State


Elejigbo

/ē.lé.d͡ʒì.ɡ͡bò/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Èjìgbò (“Ejigbo”), literally “One who has Ejigbo”.

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Èjìgbò


Eleruuwa

From oní- (“one who has”) + Èrúwà (“Eruwa”), literally “One who has Eruwa”.

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Èrúwà in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Elemure

From oní- (“one who has”) + Emùré (“Emure”), literally “One who has Emure”.

The title of the traditional ruler of Emùré-Èkìtì


Eleruku

oní- (“one who has”) + Erùkú (“Eruku”), literally “One who has Eruku”

Traditional ruler of the town of Erùkú, a town in the Èkìtì region of Kwara State in Nigeria


ihuhuu-ẹyẹ

compound

ìhúhùú + ẹyẹ


Ọmọ-ewi

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.è.wí/

A female oríkì name. Alternative form of Ọmọèwí


esuru

Gùdùgudu fi ojú jọ èṣúrú, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni kò ṣeé jẹ.

Poisonous yam looks like aerial yam, yet is inedible.

Dioscorea bulbifera
Dioscorea bulbifera#Translingual


esuu

(Ondo) Alternative form of èsúrú (“aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera)”)


ẹga

Cognate with Nupe ègwa, Igala ìga, Urhobo ọriọka, Edo akha, and Idoma àga. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *V̀-ga. Blench (2007) proposed a tentative reconstruction to Proto-Niger-Congo *-ga.

ẹni tí kò gbọ́ tẹnu ẹ̀gà l'ó ní ẹ̀gà ń pàtótó

whoever does not understand the chirping of the weaver-birds will say they are babbling (proverb against misjudgement)


odere-koko

Spilopelia senegalensis
Spilopelia senegalensis#Translingual


ẹyẹ-oge

/ɛ̄.jɛ̄.ò.ɡé/


oloofeere

/ō.lóò.féè.ɾé/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + féèré (“characterizing something quick, fast”), ultimately ideophonic


ẹyẹ Ṣango

/ɛ̄.jɛ̄ ʃã̀.ɡó/

ẹyẹ (“bird”) + Ṣàngó (“Shango”), literally “Shango's bird”


ẹyẹ-ọpẹẹrẹ

head

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

yo-pos

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

yo-noun

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

ẹyẹ-ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ́

/ɛ̄.jɛ̄.ɔ̀.k͡pɛ́ɛ̀.ɾɛ́/


ẹyẹ-ọba

/ɛ̄.jɛ̄.ɔ̄.bā/

From ẹyẹ (“bird”) + ọba (“king”), literally “Royal Bird, Bird of a King”.


atọka

From a- (“agent prefix”) + tọ́ka (“to point”), literally “The one points; the pointer”.

af

(literally) the one who points; pointer
(idiomatic) Greyish eagle-owl

the one who points; pointer
Greyish eagle-owl

Kárọ́ọ̀tì l'atọ́ka sọ̀nà ọ̀fun

The carrot is the one that points towards the throat

(literally) the one who points; pointer
(idiomatic, humorous) carrot


atọọka

/ā.tɔ́ɔ̀.kā/

Alternative form of atọ́ka (“Greyish eagle-owl”)


olokoṣẹ

Alternative form of ológoṣẹ́ (“pin-tailed whydah”)


alabasita

Nígbà tó wà ní Bẹ́tánì, tó ń jẹun* ní ilé Símónì adẹ́tẹ̀, obìnrin kan mú orùba* alabásítà tí wọ́n rọ òróró onílọ́fínńdà sí wá, ojúlówó náádì tó wọ́n gan-an ni.

(Can we date this quote?), “Bíbélì Mímọ́ ti Ìtumọ̀ Ayé Tuntun: Máàkù 14 – Àkọsílẹ̀ Máàkù”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.


Jẹbutu

(Ekiti) a unisex given name; a nickname, usually given to a chubby child or person


Adedire

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + di (“to become”) + ire (“goodness, good fortune”), literally “Royalty has become good fortune”.

blend

a unisex given name meaning “Royalty has become good fortune”


Adedure

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + di (“to become”) + ure (“goodness, good fortune”), literally “Royalty has become good fortune”.

(Ekiti) a unisex given name meaning “Royalty has become good fortune”


Ogunyọlade

Blend of Ògún (“Ogun”) + yọ̀ (“to rejoice”) + lé (“onto, upon”) + adé (“crown, royalty”), literally “Ogun rejoices on top royalty”

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “Ogun rejoices on top of royalty”

(Ekiti) a surname, from the given name Ògúnyọ̀ládé


Mọmọdu

/mɔ̃́.mɔ̃́.dù/

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Muhammad


Ọbasanya

*Clipping of Ọbalúayésànyà, ultimately from Blend of Ọbalúayé (“Ọbaluaye”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”
*Blend of Ọba (“King”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “The King repaid me for my suffering”

a male given name meaning “The King repaid me for my suffering or Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”


Ọbaluayesanya

From Blend of Ọbalúayé (“Ọbaluaye”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”.

a male given name meaning “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”


Olubọde

*From Blend of olú (“warrior, prominent one”) + bọ̀ (“to come”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “The warrior has come”
*Clipping of Olúwabọ̀dé (literally “The Lord has come”)

clipping

a unisex given name meaning “The warrior has come or the Lord has come”


ọbịtụn

/ɔ̄.bɪ̄.tʊ̃̄/

Possibly from ọbị̀nrịn (“woman”) + tịtụn (“new”), literally “New woman”, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-bʊtʊ̃ (“maiden”). See Ifè àbitɔ̃

compound

Ajagun sín èyé mi lọ́bịtụn

The Chief Ajagun met my mother as a virgin

(Ekiti) virgin, a recently married woman who has not had children


Fadọrọlemi

head

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

yo-pos

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

yo-prop

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “The deity Ifa bestowed me with wealth”

(Ekiti) a surname, from the given name Fádọ́rọ̀lémi


lọwọọwọ

/lɔ́.wɔ́ɔ́.wɔ́/

contraction

lọ́wọ́rọ́wọ́


ebute

Ṣé ìyá ẹ ti débùúté lálàáfíà?

Did your mum reach her destination safely?


Akọsẹjaye

It consists of three parts, a ceremony to aid a couple who is struggling to have children, then a ceremony performed while a woman is pregnant to determine if a child is a reincarnated ancestor, and to determine if the child may be an abíkú. Finally, the main part of the ceremony is performed for a child within the first week of their birth. It consists of the consulting of Ifá by a babalawo to determine a child's destiny (àyànmọ́), future, and also to determine if the child has certain taboos (èèwọ̀). This is said to be done by measuring a child's ògo and ìràwọ̀, how glorious and bright a child's destiny is.

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) An important Yoruba religious process and ceremony performed for a newborn child.


Ẹdo

Benin Kingdom (a historical kingdom in Nigeria).


Ajogun

/ā.d͡ʒō.ɡũ̄/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat, consme”) + ogun (“war”), literally “The ones that feed on war”.

af

In the Yoruba mythology, the personification of malevolent forces as six hundred and one warriors that wage war against humanity. The eight leaders of these forces include Ikú (“personification of death”), Àrùn (“personification of disease”), Ẹ̀gbà (“personification of paralysis”), Èpè (“personification of curses”), Òfò (“personification of loss”), Ẹ̀wọ̀n (“personification of imprisonment”), Ọ̀ràn (“personification of trouble, problems”), and Èṣe (“personification of affliction”).


ọlọbatala

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọbàtálá (“Obatala”), literally “One who has Ọbàtálá”.

priests or initiates of the orisha Ọbàtálá


iyẹrosun

/ì.jɛ̀.ɾò.sũ̀/

From ìyẹ̀rẹ̀ (“powder, scrapings”) + osùn (“camwood”).

compound

A type of powder from camwood, the wood of the Baphia nitida tree. It is used in the traditional Yoruba religion during divination, in which the powder is sprinkled on the ọpọ́n Ifá, and an odù signature is traced in the powder.


igala

bushbuck, specifically the harnessed bushbuck


iẹsi

Contraction of ìrẹsì, borrowed from English rice.


garawa

mo pọn garawa omi mẹ́fà


gọlọmiṣọ

/ɡɔ̀.lɔ̀.mĩ̀.ʃɔ̀/

(of a sizeable entity) being clumsily tall and hefty


gọlọmiṣọ

/ɡɔ̀.lɔ̀.mĩ̀.ʃɔ̀/


gọlọmiṣọ

/ɡɔ̄.lɔ̄.mĩ̄.ʃɔ̄/

(of a medium sized entity) being clumsily tall and hefty


gọlọmiṣọ

/ɡɔ́.lɔ́.mĩ́.ʃɔ́/

(of a light entity) being clumsily tall and hefty


aba-ipilẹ

From àbá (“theory”) + ìpìlẹ̀ (“foundational, base”), literally “The base of a theory”.


ipin

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pín (“to share out; to divide”), literally “one's lot, one's portion”.

Ìpín

one's personal orisha, orisha of destiny and luck

the act of dividing something into parts

destiny, fate (literally "one's life portion")


ipinlẹ

From ìpín (“section; division”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”).

Ìpínlẹ̀ mẹ́rìndínlógójì (36) ló wà nínú Nàìjíríà.


awọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + wọ̀ (“to set, to go down”), literally “That which sets”.


ẹlomii

/ɛ̄.lò.mĩ́ĩ̀/

From ẹni (“one; person”) + òmíì (“other”).

Ọ̀kánjúwà kì í mu ẹ̀jẹ̀ ẹlòmíì; ẹ̀jẹ̀ ara ẹ̀ náà ní ń mu

The greedy person does not drink other people’s blood; he drinks only his own.


akara oyinbo

head

àkàrà òyìnbó

àkàrà òyìnbó

yo-pos

àkàrà òyìnbó

àkàrà òyìnbó

yo-noun

àkàrà òyìnbó

àkàrà òyìnbó

From àkàrà (“akara”) + òyìnbó (“European”), literally “European version of the bean cake”.


amunisin

From a- (“agent prefix”) + mú (“to make”) + ẹni (“person”) + sìn (“to serve”), literally “One who engages in exploiting a person to work for them”.

ìjọba amúnisìn

colonial administration (specifically the British)


ibikibi

From ibi (“place”) + -kí- (“infix”) + ibi (“place”).

Ibikíbi tí oyin bá wà lèèrà ń wá a rí.

Wherever honey is, ants will search it out.


ojiya

Alternative form of òjíá (“The plant Daniellia ogea, myrrh”)


ojibata

Alternative form of òṣíbàtà (“Nymphaea lotus”)


oṣibata

Nymphaea lotus
Nymphaea lotus#Translingual


saa ijọba-amunisin

/sáà ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bá.ā.mṹ.nĩ̄.sĩ̀/

From sáà (“era, period”) + ìjọbá (“government”) + amúnisìn (“colonialism”), literally “The era of the colonial government”.

compound

colonial era, specifically referring to the era of colonialism by the British Empire in Nigeria


ijọba amunisin

/ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā ā.mṹ.nĩ̄.sĩ̀/

From ìjọba (“government”) + amúnisìn (“colonialism”).

colonial administration, specifically referring to the British Empire's administration of Colonial Nigeria

A repressive or authoritarian government


ọgẹdẹ

→ Ebira: ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀

→ Baatonum: àgẹ̀dẹ̀

/ɔ̀.ɡɛ̀.dɛ̀/

Cognates include Edo ọghẹdẹ and Igbo ògèdè, Igbo ọ̀gèdè. This may be reconstructed to Proto-Yoruboid if such a term existed for an older food crop not bananas. Bananas reached West Africa centuries after the Proto-Yoruboid language had dispersed, but may have come in contact with Proto-Yoruba speakers. Thus, it is unclear if this term was borrowed and then transversed the many people groups as they traded and came into contact with the banana (see the term kòkódìà), or if a semantic shift occurred (see the term ọkà).

ọ̀kín níí ṣolóríi gbogbo ẹyẹ; àgbagbà níí ṣolóríi gbogbo ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀

It is the peacock that is the head of all birds; it is plantain that is the head of all types of banana

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀view map

atánCHESTNUTOlùkùmiUgbódùọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ gwẹrẹCHESTNUTProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀CHESTNUTÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀CHESTNUTMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀CHESTNUTNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàẹ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀CHESTNUT

àgbáŋ̀gbàCHESTNUTOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaoguedeCHESTNUTNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

i.e. Southeast Yorùbá, Northwest Yorùbá, Central Yorùbá, and Northeast Yorùbá

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

have converged with those of Standard Yorùbá leading to the creation of what can be labeled Common Yorùbá. It can be assumed that the Standard Yorùbá term can also be used in most Nigerian varieties alongside native terms

especially amongst younger speakers. This does not apply to the other Nigerian Yoruboid languages of Ìṣẹkírì and Olùkùmi


ọgẹdẹ agbagba

head

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

yo-pos

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

yo-noun

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ àgbagbà

/ɔ̀.ɡɛ̀.dɛ̀ à.ɡ͡bā.ɡ͡bà/


ọlọgẹdẹ

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ɡɛ̀.dɛ̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ (“banana”), literally “One who has bananas”.


ọkunmẹ

/ɔ̀.kũ̀.mɛ̀/

(Eastern Akoko) Alternative form of ọ̀kùn (“millipede”)


ekolo

From e- (“agent prefix”) + kòló (“an ideophone that represents a twisting motion”), literally “The one that makes twisting motions in the ground”.

békòló bá júbà ilẹ̀, ilẹ̀ á lanu fún un

If an earthworm pays homage to mother earth, she will open up the burrows for it


mooluẹ

→ Nigerian Pidgin: molue

→ English: molue

From English mould + ẹ̀ (“it (third-person singular object pronoun)”), literally “mould it”, describing the manufacturing process.

com

English <i class="Latn mention" lang="en">mould</i>

Wọ́n wọ móòluẹ̀ lọ sí Ìkòròdú.

(chiefly Lagos) molue (a type of bus in Lagos)


onisuuru

/ō.nĩ́.sùú.ɾù/

From oní- (“one who possesses”) + sùúrù (“patience”).


agidi

From a- (“agent prefix”) + gídí (“of being forceful and defiant”)


alagidi

From oní (“one who possesses”) + agídí (“stubbornness”).


gbọkan le

/ɡ͡bɔ́.kã̀ lé/

From gbé (“to carry”) + ọkàn (“heart”) + lé (“upon”), literally “to carry the heart upon”.

com

Kò sẹ́ni tá a lè gbọ́kàn lé.

(idiomatic) to trust; to count on; to rely on


ọlọpaa-inu

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ꜜk͡pá ī.nṹ/

From ọlọ́pàá (“police”) + inú (“inside”), literally “inside law enforcer”.


ọlọpaa

→ Nupe: olókpàá

→ Nigerian Pidgin: olokpa

→ Portuguese: alibã

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ꜜk͡pá/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ọ̀pá (“baton”), literally “one who possesses a baton”, probably referring to the batons the colonial police officers carried.


alugbagba

/ā.lù.ɡ͡bà.ɡ͡bà/


gbẹsẹ le

/ɡ͡bɛ́.sɛ̀ lé/

From gbé (“to carry”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“leg; foot”) + lé (“upon”), literally “to put the foot on”.


Anlugbua

/ā.ŋ́.lù.ɡ͡bū.à/

(Òwu) An orisha worshipped among the Òwu people, deified from three important figures among the Òwu whom all bore the nickname Ańlùgbuà. These are the legendary warrior Akíndélé, a grandson or great-grandson of Odùduwà, who founded the town of Òwu-Kúta, his foster father, who was an ancient hero of the Òwu, and his real father, Ajíbọ́sìn, who served as the first Olówu. All Owu settlements claim that Ańlùgbuà died and descended into the ground in their respective towns, and have yearly festivals honoring him.


Akoko

A folk etymology states, à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kókó (“reduplication of kó "to kidnap"”), literally “The ones who were kidnapped”; This is said to come from the fact that many Àkókó settlements were raided and the people kidnapped and sold into slavery during the warring periods of the 1700s and 1800s.

compound

The Akoko dialects of Yoruba, comprising of the western and eastern Akoko dialects and the Ào dialect.


abẹ

Cognate with Igala ábẹ (“pocketknife”), Doublet of ọ̀bẹ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-bɛ, equivalent to a- (“agent prefix”) + bẹ (“to cut”)


ẹkẹ

Melia azedarach
Melia azedarach#Translingual

Azadirachta indica
Azadirachta indica#Translingual

The similar trees Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica, of which their leaves are used in herbal drinks known as (àgbo).


aṣigba

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣí (“to open”) + ọgbà (“enclosure”)


rọparọsẹ

/ɾɔ̄.k͡pá.ɾɔ̄.sɛ̀/

From rọ (“to paralyse”) + apá (“arm”) + rọ (“to paralyse”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“leg”).


Bẹnẹ

From French Bénin
* The country derives its name from the Benin Empire, in Portuguese Benim, from Yoruba Ìbìní the exonym for the empire which according to folklore was derived from the name Ilẹ̀ Ìbínú (“Land of vexation”).


ọsin

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sìn (“to domesticate”).


ọti

→ Portuguese: otim

From Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-tɪ̃́. Cognate with Igala ọ́tẹ́


ọtin

Proposed to be derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-tɪ̃́, see Igala ọ́tẹ́


Ọtin

An orisha in the Yoruba religion, she is worshipped in the town, Ìníṣà, where she is believed to be their main protector. She is the main spirit of the Ọ̀tìn river


Oriṣa-nla

→ Portuguese: Oxalá

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

From òrìṣà (“orisha”) + ńlá (“big, mighty”), literally “The Great Orisha”.

compound

A nickname or oríkì name for the divinity Ọbàtálá


Oriṣanla

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

Alternative form of Òrìṣà-ńlá (“A nickname or oríkì name for the orisha Ọbàtálá”)


Oriṣaala

/ò.ɾì.ʃàá.lá/


Ooṣanla

/òò.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

From òòṣà (“orisha”) + ńlá (“big, mighty”), literally “The Great Orisha”.


Ooṣa-nla

/òò.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/


Ọṣọsi

Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì Ọṣọọsi#Yoruba

Alternative form of Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì (“Oshosi, orisha of hunting”)


Oriṣaoko

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ō.kō/

From òrìṣà (“orisha”) + oko (“agriculture, farm”), literally “Orisha of agriculture”.

Oko (orisha), the orisha of farming and agriculture, in his male form, he is regarded as a sorcerer and hunter. The prefix oṣó (“sorcerer”) in many names among the Ẹ̀gbá and Ìjẹ̀bú refers to worshippers of Òrìṣàoko, as well as the prefix ọ̀pá (“staff”)


Oriṣa-oko

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ō.kō/

Alternative form of Òrìṣàoko (“Oko (orisha), the orisha of farming and agriculture”)


aapọn

Irvingia gabonensis
Irvingia gabonensis#Translingual

the fruit of the tree Irvingia gabonensis

A mucilaginous soup similar to ewedu, made from ogbono, the seeds of the ààpọ̀n fruit


ẹka

igi náàá pẹ̀ka

(by extension) department, unit, section


ẹka

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kà (“to read, to recite”).

af

recitation, (in particular) reciting a dirge


ijẹrẹ

/ì.d͡ʒɛ́.ɾɛ́/


igbayẹkẹtẹ

head

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

yo-pos

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

yo-noun

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

ìgbáyẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀

/ì.ɡ͡bá.jɛ̀.kɛ̀.tɛ̀/

From ìgbá (“eggplant, garden egg”) + yẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀ (“an ideophone describing a physical entity being large, loose, soft, fragile and heavy”), literally “large and heavy garden egg”


iṣu-nikan-kọniyan

/ī.ʃū.nĩ̀.kã̀.kɔ́.nĩ̄.jã́/

From iṣu (“yam”) + nìkàn (“only”) + kọ́ (“not”) + ni (“to be”) + iyán (“pounded yam”), literally “Yam is not the only thing that can be pounded”.


kawọboju-kokoro

From ká (“fold”) + ọwọ́ (“hands”) + bò (“to cover”) + ojú (“face”) + kòkòrò (“insect”), literally “one that coils the hands to conceal or cover up the face of an insect”.


ẹyẹ aganran

/ɛ̄.jɛ̄ ā.ɡã́.ɾã́/

Poicephalus senegalus
Poicephalus senegalus#Translingual


ẹyẹ akoko

woodpecker, specifically the African grey woodpecker


akoko

àkókó kì í sọgi tútù, igi gbígbẹ níí sọ

The woodpecker does not peck living wood, dry wood is what it pecks (incantation)

àkókó o!

May you bore the wood like a woodpecker!! (greeting for a woodcarver)

àkókó á sọgi o!

The woodpecker shall strike the wood!! (response to a greeting for a woodcarver)

A nickname or praise name for a woodcarver


akoko

The plant Newbouldia laevis, its leaves are used to adorn newly crowned chiefs


alapaandẹdẹ-pupa

From alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀ (“swallow bird”) + pupa (“red”), literally “Red swallow”.

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀


oorẹ

porcupine, specifically African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) or crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata)


ojigan

/ò.d͡ʒì.ɡã̄/

porcupine, specifically an African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) or a crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata)


eegbọn

tick, specifically a hard tick of the genus Amblyomma


risiiti

receipt (written acknowledgement that a sum of money has been received)


aṣegbefabo

From a- (“agent prefix”) + ṣe (“do”) + ègbè (“strong support”) + fún (“for”) + abo (“female”), literally “One who shows strong support for the female gender”.


Aganjuṣọla

/ā.ɡã̄.d͡ʒú.ʃɔ̄.lá/

Blend of a- (“agent prefix”) + gan (“to be stiff”) + ojú (“face”) + ṣe (“to make”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “The one with the stiff face makes honor”

blend

(rare) a male given name meaning “The one with the stiff face”


iyaloriṣa

→ Portuguese: iyalorixá

From ìyá (“mother”) + oní (“one who has”) + òrìṣà (“orisha”), literally “A priestess of the orisha”.


Oku

(Yorùbá) Contextually, the word may imply ancestors, in relation to the ancestor worship practices of the Yorùbá people.

(Ijebu) The orisha of wealth specifically among the Ijebu people, equivalent to Ajé, Yoruba names with the prefix Okú, like Òkúsànyà, refer to this orisha.


enia

Archaic spelling of ènìyàn (“human being”).


Korikoto

From kórìkóto (“A type of toy or shrine used by children”).

ìbọkúbọ ni ọmọdé ń bọ Kórìkóto; ìgbàkúgbà níí gbà á

proverb on the consequences of improper handling of what is important

If a child offers a sacrifice to orisha Korikoto anyhow, the small divinity accepts it anyhow

Kórì

Synonym of Kórì (“A female orisha of fertility and children”)


korikoto

A type of toy, it is regarded as a shrine used by children in the worship of the orisha Kórì, (also known as Kórìkóto).


konkoto

Alternative form of kórìkóto (“A toy or shrine used by children”)


Ayelala

Said to be from the phrase ayé yìí mà lá ò (“This word is truly a large problem”), ultimately from ayé (“world”) + lá (“to be big, large”)
* This is believed to come from a phrase Ayélála uttered while on Earth before being executed

A female orisha of justice and prosecution widely feared for her harsh punishments for those who commit criminal offences. She is believed to have originally been a slave from the town of Ìlàjẹ and was executed for a crime she did not commit, and soon was deified as an orisha upon the discovery of her innocence. Her role as a punisher of criminals is comparable to the role of Orò among the Ẹ̀gbá.


Bilisi

Hausa ìblîs, ultimately from Arabic إِبْلِيس (ʔiblīs)


Ibeji

Ibeji, the orisha of duality and twins; and the protector of twins. The orisha, represented by a pair of twins but sharing one soul, are closely associated with Ṣàngó, who himself was the father of twins in his earthly lifetime.


kan-un

From Hausa kanwā, cognate with Igbo àkanwụ.

rocksalt; potash; any series of minerals like natron often used in cooking

potassium, (chemical element, K, atomical number 19)


Aarẹ-ọna-kakanfo

/àà.ɾɛ̄.ɔ̀.nã̀.kā.kā.ŋ̀.fò/

From Ààrẹ ọ̀nà kakaǹfò, from Nupe kakamfò (“One who has no relatives or interests in a place”)

bor

The title is born by people not from the town of Ọ̀yọ́, as a way of preventing the possibility of him overthrowing the Aláàfin.

The title of the highest ranking chief in Yorubaland. Historically, he was the commander of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire's military.


Ọsun

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sun (“to ooze, to flow from”), literally “The one who water flows from”.

affix

(chiefly NWY) Alternative form of Ọ̀ṣun (“Oshun”)

Ọ̀sun Òṣogbo

A grove and shrine of Ọ̀ṣun in the town of Òṣogbo that serves as the center of her worship


ọdun Ọṣun-Oṣogbo

/ɔ̄.dṹ ɔ̀.ʃũ̄.ò.ʃō.ɡ͡bō/

From ọdún (“festival”) + Ọ̀ṣun (“Oshun”) + Òṣogbo (“Osogbo”), literally “Festival of Oshun of Osogbo”.

compound

A yearly festival held in the town of Òṣogbo in honor of the orisha Osun, held in and around the grove and sacred shrine of Ọ̀ṣun, Osun-Osogbo.


ọlọṣun

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ʃũ̄/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀ṣun (“Osun”), literally “One who has Osun”.

af

A worshipper or initiate of the orisha Ọ̀ṣun


dẹdodẹdo

From Reduplication of dẹ odò (“to hunt in the rivers”, literally “One who hunts in the river”).


ọpalaba

From Nupe kpálábá, cognate with Hausa kwalabā.

Alternative form of ọ̀páláńbá (“glass, glass bottle”)


ọpalanba

Possibly from Nupe kpálábá or Hausa kwalabā, cognate with either of them.


babaganran

/bà.bà.ɡã̄.ɾã̄/

From bàbà (“copper”) + ganran (“an ideophone describing something that bursts suddenly”), literally “Copper that is heated and then suddenly bursts”.


oiie

Contraction of oríire, from orí (“the orí”) + ire (“rectitude”)


gbo

Ajá aládùúgbò mi máa ń gbó látàárọ̀ dalẹ́. Ó ti sú mi.

My neighbour's dog barks from morning to night. I'm fed up.

Kì í ṣe gbogbo ajá tó bá gbóni lọ́jà, là ń dá lóhùn.

It's not all the dogs that bark at one at the marketplace that one responds to.


gbo

Perhaps related to Igbo gboo (“early, ancient”)

O ò ní tètè gbó, wàá pẹ́ láyé.

Àgbàdo ò ì tíì gbó


gbo

Fi ọwọ́ rẹ gbo ara wọn fún nǹkan bí ààbọ̀ ìṣẹ́jú.

2015, “Ohun Tó Máa Mú Kí Ìlera Rẹ Dára Sí I”, in JW.ORG:


gbo

Mo gbo igi kí èso ré.

I shook the tree so the fruit would fall.

Àìsí ńlé mi gbò ó.

Àìsàn náà ṣì ń gbò wá

Ikú rẹ̀ gbò wá jìgìjìgì, níwọ̀n bí ó ti bà wá lọ́kàn jẹ́, tí ó sì sọ wá di aláìní.

1998, “Ní Ẹni 80 Ọdún Iṣẹ́ Àyànfúnni Mi Yí Padà”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

His death was a terrible blow, since it left us heartbroken as well as destitute.

(transitive) to trouble; to take its toll


Eledumare

From oní- (“one who has”) + èdùmarè (“universe”), literally “One who has the universe”, see Olódùmarè.

af

Alternative form of Olódùmarè (“the Supreme being in the Yoruba religion”)

Olódùmarè

(Christianity) Alternative form of Olódùmarè (“God”)


Eledua

From oní- (“one who has”) + edù (“source”) + ìwà (“existence”), literally “The one who is the source of existence”.

Alternative form of Elédùwà (“the Supreme being in the Yoruba religion”)


obinrin

Etymology is uncertain, several linguistic hypotheses exist. It is proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-bɪ̃̀rɪ̃, this form still exists in Central Yoruba dialects. Akinkugbe suggests it may be equivalent to abo (“female”) + ẹni (“person”). The consonant /b/ exists in several basic female words, including òbò (“vagina”), abo (“female”).

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - obìnrinview map

ɔlɔbìrĩ癠Bokoonɛ̃bìrɛ̃癠Moretanonõbɛ̃rɛ̃癠Tchettiɔnɔbɛ̃̀ɛ̃癠KuraAwotébiɔ́gbɛ́rɛ́癠Partagoɔnɔbrɛ̃癠Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandiinã́ábo癠癠Northern NagoKamboleɔɡuɛ̃癠Manigriobùɛ癠癠Overseas YorubaLucumíHavanaobiní癠Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

bí ọkùnrín bá rí ejò, tí obìnrin sì pa á, kò burú; kí ejò ṣáà má ti lọ

If a man sees a snake, and a woman kills it, that is not bad; the important thing is for the snake not to escape

èyí t'ó wù ẹ́ kò wù mí ni kò jẹ́ k'á pawó pọ̀ láti fẹ́ obìnrin

What appeals to you may not appeal to me, this is why we cannot pool our financial resources together to marry one wife (proverb on personal preference)


kooki

Dúpẹ́ máa mú ohun mímú bíi pẹpusí àti kóòkì wá sí ibi-àsè.

Dupe is going to bring drinks like Pepsi and Coke to the party.

Coke (Coca-Cola, a trademarked soft drink)


ọkunrin

/ɔ̄.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄/

It is proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kʊ̃rɪ̃, this form remains the same in Central Yoruba dialects. Cognate with Arigidi ọkọ́ọrẹ. Akinkugbe suggests it may be equivalent to ọkọ (“man”) + ẹni (“person”), compare with obìnrin. The /k/ consonant exists in the roots of many basic male terms, okó (“penis”), akọ (“male”), ọkọ (“husband”)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọkùnrinview map

ɔlokùrĩSTONE FRUITBokoonɛkìrɛSTONE FRUITMoretanonokɛ̃̀rẽSTONE FRUITTchettiɔnɔkɛ̃̀ɛ̃STONE FRUITKuraAwotébiɔkɛ́rɛ́STONE FRUITPartagoɔnɔkrɛ̃STONE FRUITMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiinɛ̃mɔkɔSTONE FRUITSTONE FRUITNorthern NagoKamboleokuɛ̃STONE FRUITSTONE FRUITManigriokùɛ̃STONE FRUITSTONE FRUITOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaocuniSTONE FRUITNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

Iná niyì ọdẹ, ẹ̀jẹ̀ niyì oògùn; ká rógun má mà sa, òun niyì ọkùnrin

Just as fire power is the mark of a hunter, so, blood is the mark of a true medicine; and to see a war, and not run away, is the mark of a man (an incantation to invoke bravery)

'Mo mọ̀ ọ́ tán', ni Orò ó fi ń gbé ọkùnrin ― The conviction that one knows everything is what causes Òrìṣà Orò to carry away a man (proverb against taking danger for granted)

a gbọ́dọ̀ ṣe bí ọkùnrin lójú ogun


ọjọ-ori

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́.ō.ɾí/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + orí (“head, conscience”), literally “Number of days that one's conscience has existed”.

compound

ọjọ́-orí ì mi jẹ́ àádọ́ta ọdún


Agura

the title of the traditional ruler of the Gbágùrá subsection of the Ẹ̀gbá people in Abeokuta


Eleduwa

A nickname for the Supreme being of the Yoruba religion, Olódùmarè


Koso

From the phrase Ọba kò so (“The king did not hang”), ultimately from kò (“negation prefix”) + so (“to hang”), literally “The place where the King did not hang”
* This comes from a Yoruba legend in which the location Kòso is believed to be where Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ Ṣàngó hanged himself. After discovering his body, his followers declared to the people that "Ọba kò so," "the King did not hang," and announced that Ṣàngó had not hanged, and instead ascended to heaven as an òrìṣà.

A legendary place associated with the orisha Ṣàngó, it is believed to be where he Ṣàngó in his human form the King of Oyo hanged himself and became an orisha

An area in the town of Ọ̀yọ́ near the palace of Aláàfin where the annual Shango festival is held, and serves as the center of the worship of Shango.


ebiripo

A food eaten by the Ìjẹ̀bú and Rẹ́mọ Yoruba people, made from grated taro (cocoyam), mixed with water, and then boiled. It is normally eaten with a stew like ẹ̀gúsí.


agbẹdọ

/à.ɡ͡bɛ̄.dɔ̀/

From à- (“negation marker”) + gbẹdọ̀ (“must; that which has to be done”)


abọru abọye abọṣiṣẹ

head

àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ

àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ

yo-pos

àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ

àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ

/à.bɔ̄.ɾú à.bɔ̄.jè à.bɔ̄.ʃí.ʃɛ̄/

From Blend of àbọ (“sacrifice”) + rú (“to make a sacrifice”) + àbọ (“sacrifice”) + yè (“to live”) + àbọ (“sacrifice”) + ṣíṣẹ (“to work”), literally “May our sacrifice be successful and bring life, may our sacrifice do what it was intended to do”.

blend

ogbó atọ́ àsúre Ìwòrìwòfún
ogbo atọ asure Iworiwofun#Yoruba

A greeting used by initiates and practitioners of Ifá divination, such as a babalawo and ìyánífá. It is usually responded with the greeting ogbó atọ́ àsúre Ìwòrìwòfún


Ọrọmpọtọ

head

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ̀.tɔ̀/

clipping

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀níyùn

(Ọyọ, archaic) A female given name of historical usage, notably borne by Orompoto

Orompoto, an Aláàfin who was the only female ruler of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire


Ọrọnpọtọ

head

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

head

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀ (canonical)
Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀ (canonical)

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ̀.tɔ̀/

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ́.tɔ̀/

clipping

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀níyùn

a female given name, Alternative form of Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Alternative form of Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀ (“Orompoto”)


Ogundepo

Blend of Ògún (“Ogun”) + dé (“to arrive”) + ipò (“position, rank”), literally “Ogun has reached the position”

blend

a male given name meaning “Ògún has reached the intended rank or position”


lẹsẹkẹsẹ

head

lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀

lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀

yo-pos

lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀

lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀

lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀ (canonical)
lẹ́sẹ̀kẹsẹ̀ (canonical)

ní + ẹsẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀, ultimately from ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”) + -kí- (“infix”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”)

compound

ní + ẹsẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀


لعَِسعَِكعَِسعَِ

head

لعَِسعَِكعَِسعَِ

yo-pos

لعَِسعَِكعَِسعَِ

yo-adv

لعَِسعَِكعَِسعَِ


ohun

ohun tí a bá ṣe pẹ̀sẹ̀, kí a máá fi ṣe ìkánjú; b'ó pẹ́ títí ohun gbogbó á tọwọ́ ẹni

What we can do very easily, we should not be done hurriedly, for after a long while, all things will come to our hands (proverb on patience)


ohun

ohun t'á a fẹlẹ́mọ̀ṣọ́ ṣọ́ níí ṣọ́ ― Whatever we give Ẹlẹ́mọ̀ṣọ́ to guard is what he guards (proverb against eavesdropping)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ohunview map

unghunLASTEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàunwunLASTỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ihunLASTOnigboloihunLASTKétu/ÀnàgóKétuihunLASTIfɛ̀Akpáréiŋɛ́LASTAtakpamɛiŋɛ́LASTTchettiiŋɛ́LASTSouthern NagoÌsakétéihunLASTLASTÌfànyìnihunLASTLASTNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


ohun

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ɓũ̀ (“sound, language”). Compare with Igala ómù, Itsekiri owùn, possibly Igbo onu

inh

a óò gbọ́ ohùn ìyá, a óò gbọ́ ohùn ọmọ

May we hear the voice of the mother, may we hear the voice of the baby (prayer for a pregnant woman)

ìjìnlẹ̀ ohùn ẹnu Ifá

The philosophical speech from the mouth of Ifa


nnkan

From ohun (“thing”) + ìkan (“one”), literally “one thing”.

compound

Ọmọdé yìí kò ì tíì mọ nǹkan

This small child does not yet know or experience anything of consequence


ohunkohun

From ohun (“thing”) + -kí- (“infix”) + ohun (“thing”).

ohunkóhun tí o bá ní ni kí o fún mi


irunkirun

/ī.ɾũ̄.kí.ɾũ̄/

From irun (“thing”) + -kí- (“infix”) + irun (“thing”). Compare Yoruba ohunkóhun


lojiji

/ló.d͡ʒī.d͡ʒì/


ẹsin

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sìn (“to worship”).

af

ẹlẹ́sìn

a worshipper of a religion, religious person


ẹsin

(chiefly NWY) Alternative form of ẹṣin (“horse”)


oniṣango

/ō.nĩ́.ʃã̀.ɡó/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ṣàngó (“Shango”), literally “One who has Shango”.

compound

A devotee or worshipper of the orisha Shango


ọlọsanyin

ọlọ́sanyìn (canonical)
ọlọ́sányìn (canonical)

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.sã̄.jĩ̀/

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.sã́.jĩ̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀sanyìn (“Osanyin”), literally “One who has Osanyin”.

af

A worshipper or devotee of the orisha Ọ̀sanyìn

a traditional Yoruba healer or herbal doctor


oloriṣa

/ō.ló.ɾì.ʃà/

From oní- (“one who has”) + òrìṣà (“orisha”), literally “One who has the orisha”.


ọlọya

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọya (“Oya”), literally “One who has Oya”.

A devotee or worshipper of the orisha Ọya


ṣanpọnna

/ʃã̀.k͡pɔ̃̀.nã́/


onifa

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ifá (“Ifa, Orunmila”), literally “One who has Ifa”.

A devotee or initiate of Ifá divination and a worshipper of the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà


iyanifa

From ìyá (“mother, woman”) + oní- (“one who has”) + Ifá (“Ifa divination”).

compound

A female initiate or priestess of Ifa divination


agalamọsa

ìwà àgálámọ̀sà

Alternative form of àgálámàṣà (“trickery, mischief, dishonesty”)


agalamaṣa

Ọ̀rọ̀ ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ tí a fi tú ìwà àgálámàṣà ni a sọ pé ó túmọ̀ sí “ṣíṣèrú nídìí ayò tẹ́tẹ́” tàbí “mímọ òjóró ṣe nídìí ayò tẹ́tẹ́

The original word for trickery is said to mean “cheating at dice” or “skill in manipulating the dice.” (An explanation of the theme trickery in the biblical verse Ephesians 4:14)


akalamọsa

ìwà àkálámọ̀sà


agalẹ

ọmọ yìí kò ní agalẹ̀ rárá


agẹmọ

→ Baatonum: agama naki

→ Ewe: agama

→ Sranan Tongo: agama

→ English: agama

→ Nupe: gyama

/ā.ɡɛ̄.mɔ̃̄/

Folk etymology states a- (“agent prefix”) + gẹ̀ (“to care for”) + ọmọ (“children”), literally “One who cares for children”; serving as a nickname for the chameleon in comparison to the more formal term ọ̀gà

af

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - agẹmọview map

ọ̀gà鞞Bɛ̀nɛ̀agɛmɔ鞞Northeast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaaríro鞞Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèKétu/ÀnàgóÌmẹ̀kọọ̀gà鞞Ifɛ̀Akpáréagema鞞Atakpamɛagema鞞Est-Monoagema鞞Tchettiagema鞞Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


ọgbọgbọ

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɔ̀.ɡ͡bɔ̀/


ẹgẹdẹ

/ɛ̀.ɡɛ̀.dɛ̀/

(Eastern Àkókó (Ìkàrẹ́)) Alternative form of ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ (“banana”)


igọn

(Eastern Àkókó (Ìkàrẹ́)) a species of hawk or kite


iwe iroyin

/ì.wé ì.ɾò.jĩ̀/


onila

From oní- (“one who has”) + ilá (“okra”).


igberaga

/ì.ɡ͡bé.ɾā.ɡā/

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to carry”) + ara (“body”) + ga (“high”)


ارَ

Ajami spelling of àrà (“wonder, spectacle”)


gborin

B’ájànàkú ti gbórín tó, kò lè dánìkan gbé’gbó

As mighty as the elephant is, it cannot live in the forest by itself


nla

From partial reduplication of lá (“to be big”).

bí ìyà ńlá bá gbéni ṣánlẹ̀, ìyà kékèké á gorí ẹni

When a big problem knocks a person down, smaller problems easily ride over him (proverb on a chain of problems)


الَافِا

Ajami spelling of àlàáfíà (“peace, good health”)


ṣokoto

→ Baatonum: sòkoto

→ Nupe: tsòkòtò

→ Gun: còkòtò, ṣòkòtò

→ Fon: còkòtò

àwínná-owó kò yẹni, àgbàwọ̀ ọ ṣòkòtò kò yẹ ọmọ ènìyàn

Borrowing money to spend does not befit a person, just as borrowing trousers to wear does not befit a human being (proverb on self-sufficiency)

ṣòkòtò kẹ̀m̀bẹ̀

A type of long pants type with large and loose sleeves

ṣòkòtò nàǹgúdù

A type of trousers borrowed from the Hausa


ọdun Ọlọjọ

head

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

yo-pos

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

yo-prop

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́

/ɔ̄.dṹ ɔ̄.lɔ́.d͡ʒɔ́/

From ọdún (“festival”) + oní- (“one who has”) + ọjọ́ (“day”), literally “The festival of the one who owns the day”. See the divinity Ọlọ́jọ́. Compare with ọjọ́ and Igala Ọ́jọ́.

compound

An annual festival held in town of Ifẹ̀ that celebrates creation and the orisha Ògún, known as Ọlọ́jọ́, who is regarded as the first primordial divinity (among the irúnmọlẹ̀) to arrive on Earth.


mọjesin

/mɔ̃̀.d͡ʒè.sĩ́/

Alternative form of màjèsín (“child, kid, youth, adolescent”)


عَِروَْ اموْهُنمَووْرَن

head

عَِروَْ اموْهُنمَووْرَن

عَِروَْ اموْهُنمَووْرَن (transliteration needed)

yo-pos

عَِروَْ اموْهُنمَووْرَن

yo-noun

عَِروَْ اموْهُنمَووْرَن

ẹ̀rọ amóhùnmáwòrán
ẹrọ amohunmaworan#Yoruba

en-عَِروَْ_اموْهُنمَووْرَن-yo-noun-yvdYKUvZ


Mọremi

/mɔ̃́.ɾē.mĩ́/

/mɔ̃̄.ɾè.mĩ̄/

From Blend of ọmọ (“child”) + rè (“to give attention to”) + èmi (“me”), literally “The child attracts my attention”.

blend

Also known as Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò, she was a legendary heroine in Yoruba history from the town of Ọ̀fà. She was a Queen of Ifẹ̀, and wife of Ọ̀ránmìyàn. She is known for serving as a spy and warrior whom aided Ife in defeating their longtime enemies, the Ùgbò (Olúyàrè) people. She is also regarded as the mother of the Yoruba people for her willingness to sacrifice her only son Olúorogbo (whom became an orisha upon his death) to the spirit of the Ẹ̀sìnmìrìn river to save the town and guarantee the everlasting protection of the Yoruba people. She was also deified as an orisha upon her death. The town of Ife celebrates the festival ọdún Edì in honor of her and her son.

a female given name meaning “The child attracts my attention”


ẹyọ

Mú ẹyọ kan nínú àwọn ìwé yẹn wá


عَِيوَْ

Ajami spelling of Ẹ̀yọ̀ (“Lagos people, Lagos dialect”)


Ẹyọ

It was traditionally held in honor of a deceased king and to usher in the reign of a new king, it is not held in honor of the death of an important figure, it serves as a display of Yoruba and Lagosian culture. It features the white dressed ẹ̀yọ̀ Egúngún

The culture, people, language, and customs of historically the Àwórì subethnic group of the Yoruba, and now the Lagosians.

The Ẹ̀yọ̀ festival, an Egúngún festival celebrated by the people of Lagos.

Àwórì people; now also refers to the modern inhabitants of the city of Lagos

The Yoruba dialect historically spoken by the Àwórì people

A genre of music and drumming unique to the people of Lagos.

The modern Yoruba dialect of the people of Lagos, not directly related to the dialect of the Àwórì.

Any language that is not one's own native language


iyeye

From iye + iye, literally “mother's mother”.

maternal grandmother
maternal grandmother


eyeye

From eye + eye, literally “mother's mother”.


eleṣu

From oní- (“one who has”) + Èṣù (“Esu”), literally “One who has Esu”.

af

A devotee or worshipper of the orisha Èṣù

One who is cunning or clever, a trickster, one with traits similar to Èṣù

(derogatory, offensive, proscribed) demon, evildoer, satanist


ọdun Edi

A festival held annually in the town of Ifẹ̀ in honor of the Yoruba heroine Mọremí Àjàṣorò, whom is regarded as the mother of the Yoruba people; she served as a spy and aided the town in the defeat of their enemy the Ùgbò, and her son, whom she sacrificed to save the town, and is an incarnation of a primordial divinity whom is associated with the figure (Ẹ̀là).


epo pupa

epo (“oil”) + pupa (“red”), literally “red oil”


Mọremi Ajaṣoro

head

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

yo-pos

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

yo-prop

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò (canonical)
Mọrèmi Àjàṣorò (canonical)

/mɔ̃̄.ɾè.mĩ̄ à.d͡ʒà.ʃō.ɾò/

/mɔ̃́.ɾē.mĩ́ à.d͡ʒà.ʃō.ɾò/

From Mọ́remí + Àjàṣorò, ultimately from Blend of ọmọ (“child”) + rè (“to give attention to”) + èmi (“me”), literally “The child attracts my attention” and Blend of à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + ṣe (“to make”) + Orò (“Oro deity”), literally “One who fights while making sacrifices to Orò”.


mọremi

/mɔ̃́.ɾē.mĩ́/

/mɔ̃̄.ɾè.mĩ̄/

A Yoruba female hairstyle also known as the pàtẹ́wọ́, featuring braids that swirl across the head.


Ufẹ

→ Edo: Uhẹ

→ Arabic: يُوفِي (yūfī)

→ English: Yufi

Etymology is unknown, its existence as the first modern Yoruba civilization and kingdom, as well as its role in the Yoruba religion, thus makes it the center of many folk etymologies.
From u- + fẹ̀.
*The verb fẹ̀ is associated with several of these folk etymologies. One suggests it is related to the dialectal definition fẹ̀ (“to be successful, to be prosperous”), since Ufẹ̀ was regarded as an extremely successful and prosperous kingdom.
* Possibly relating to the meaning, fẹ̀ (“to widen”), explained by one of the many origin stories of the Ifẹ̀ kingdom.

(historical) the historic Ife Kingdom, regarded as the first major civilization of the Yoruba-speaking people, it was dominant from the 11th century to 16th century AD. It was known for its extensive wealth, cultural and religious heritage, and trade.

Ùláá l'àkọ̀bí Oòduà ké e l'Úfẹ̀ ― The people of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín are the first born of Oduduwa from Ife (oríkì of the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)

(chiefly CY) Ifẹ̀ subgroup of the Yoruba people


Ọlọfa

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀fà (“Offa”), literally “The ruler of Offa”.

af

Ìyẹ̀rú-ọ̀kín ọmọ Ọlọ́fà-mọjọ̀ ― (oríkì of the town of Ọ̀fà)

The title of the traditional monarch of the town of Offa (Ọ̀fà) in Kwara State, Nigeria.


ajẹbọta

→ Nigerian Pidgin: ajebota

→ English: ajebota

/ā.d͡ʒɛ̄.bɔ́.tà/

a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + bọ́tà (“butter”), literally “butter eater”

(informal, slang) person from a privileged background


ile ẹkọṣẹ-oniṣegun

head

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

yo-pos

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

yo-noun

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

ilé ẹ̀kọ́ṣẹ́-oníṣègùn

/ī.lé ɛ̀.kɔ́.ʃɛ́.ō.nĩ́.ʃè.ɡũ̀/

From ilé ẹ̀kọ́ (“school”) + iṣẹ́ (“work”) + oníṣègùn (“medicine”), literally “The school that teaches medicine”.


akiika

From Hausa hàƙīƙā̀, ultimately from Arabic حَقِيقَة (ḥaqīqa).

bor

Hausa hàƙīƙā̀

certainly, definitely, undoubtedly, used to signal concordance


bilala

(music) a drumstick made of flexible raw hide


onibuka

From oní- (“one who has”) + búkà (“a fast food shop”), literally “owner of a fast food shop”.

af

owner of, or worker in, a fast food restaurant


dandogo

From Hausa ɗan dōgō (literally “Tall garment”), compare with dàńṣíkí.

bor

dàńdógó kọjá ẹ̀wù àbínúdá

The dandogo garment surpasses what can be made on the spur of anger (proverb on limitation and expression regarding the elevated status of the dandogo in Yoruba society)

A type of large garment normally reserved for the wealthy and aristocrats, it denotes high status and power.


ogiri gba mi la

/ò.ɡī.ɾī ɡ͡bà mĩ́ là/

From ògiri (“wall”) + gbà là (“to save”) + mí (“me”), literally “the wall saved me”.

com

(soccer) one-two against a wall, usually to get around defenders


بَرِكَ

Ajami spelling of báríkà (“congratulations”)


owo ẹyọ

/ō.wó ɛ̄.jɔ̄/

From owó (“cowry, coin”) + ẹyọ (“one unit”), literally “One cowry, One coin”, compare with Igala ẹ́yọ́-ọkọ́.


yọ

(intransitive) to rejoice, to become elated


yọ

mo yọ̀ ṣubú

ilẹ̀ ẹ́ yọ̀

ọbẹ̀ ewédú yọ̀

to be mucilaginous (as a soup or stew), to draw, to be slimy


yọ

ọ̀tá mi má yọ̀mí, bí mo bá ṣubú, èmí á tún dìde

My enemy, do not rejoice in my pain, if I fall, I shall get up

(transitive) to make fun of or ridicule someone, to deride someone, to rejoice in someone's failure or problems


yọ

o ò bá Ọya mawo, o ò ba Ògún mulẹ̀, o ní abẹ́rẹ́ẹ̀ rẹ́ bọ́ sódò, o fẹ́ẹ́ yọ ọ́!

You aren't close with the orisha Oya, you don't have an arrangement with the orisha Ogun, you claim that your needle has dropped into the river, and yet you dare to try and remove it! (proverb against deadly risks)

(transitive) to delete, to remove, to throw away

ìbínú níí yọ ọfà lápó, ohùn rere níí yọ obì lápò

It is anger that causes someone to pull out an arrow from a quiver, a gentle voice will instead bring forth a kola nut (proverb on cause and effect)

(idiomatic, transitive) to rescue, deliver (literally, to remove someone from danger), to pull out, to bring

òṣùpá yọ

(intransitive) to emerge, to stick out, to appear


yọ

òṣùpá yọ

to (intransitive) emerge, to stick out, to appear

àgbàdó ti yọmọ

(horticulture, intransitive) to sprout, to grow


yọ

Orí i rẹ̀ẹ́ yọ ọ́

(transitive) to rescue, to deliver, to save


yọ

(intransitive) to slip off, to glide off something


yọ

bọ́mọdé bá ń yọ́ ilẹ̀ẹ́ dà, ohun abẹ́nú a máa yọ́ ọ ṣe

If a child is treacherously sneaking around the house, he gets bitten by hidden things (proverb on the direct negative effect of treachery)

(intransitive) to sneak around, to do something stealthily,


yọ

(intransitive) to shine, to be shiny, to be smooth, to be glossy


yọ

òrí yọ́

(transitive, ergative) to dissolve, to melt, to smelt


yọ

(transitive) to drain, to sift from water, to filter


ọgẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.ɡɛ́.ɾɛ́/

ilẹ̀ ọ̀gẹ́rẹ́ afọkọ́yẹrí ― You, the brittle land, that we use our to scrub your head (oríkì of the primordial divinity and Mother Earth, Ayé)


ayoayo

From Reduplication of ayò (“a type of mancala game”).


ayo ọlọpọn

head

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

yo-pos

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

yo-noun

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

ayò ọlọ́pọ́n

/ā.jò ɔ̄.lɔ́.k͡pɔ̃́/

From ayò + ọlọ́pọ́n, ultimately from ayò (“ayo game”) + oní- (“one who has”) + ọpọ́n (“board”), literally “The ayo game that is played on a board”.

compound

ayò + ọlọ́pọ́n

A type of mancala game played by the Yoruba


ọpọn

ọpọ́n ayò

A board on which the mancala game ayo is played


ọpọn

A name for a variety of similarly looking trees, including Uapaca heudelotii, Lannea acida, and Lannea welwitschii (also known as orita).


Ibọlọ

A subgroup of the Yoruba people whom live in present day Ọ̀ṣun and Kwara states in Nigeria, with their headquarters being the town of Ọ̀fà. Other Ìbọ̀lọ́ towns include Òṣogbo, Ìkìrun, Ẹdẹ, Èjìgbò, Ìwó and Ìkire.

A dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by the Ìbọ̀lọ́ people


orukọ amutọrunwa

/ō.ɾú.kɔ̄ à.mṹ.tɔ̀.ɾũ̄.wá/

From orúkọ + àmútọ̀runwá, ultimately from orúkọ (“name”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mú (“to bring”) + ti (“from”) + ọ̀run (“heaven”) + wá (“here”), literally “Name brought from heaven to Earth”.

A class of Yoruba given names given to children who are born in unique or peculiar circumstances, they are believed to be predestined. Examples include the names Táíwò and Kẹ́hìndé, (given to a set of twins), Òjó and Àìná, (names given to children born with a nuchal cord), and Dàda (name given to a child born with long curly hair).


Oluorogbo

Olúorogbo (canonical)
Olúorógbó (canonical)

/ō.lú.ō.ɾō.ɡ͡bō/

/ō.lú.ō.ɾó.ɡ͡bó/

From olú (“lord, prominent one”) + orógbó (“bitter kola nut”), literally “Lord of the bitter kola nuts”.

A primordial divinity or irúnmọlẹ̀ in the Yoruba religion, he is regarded as being synonymous with the figure Ẹ̀là. In his human form, he was the only son of the Yoruba heroine Mọ́remí. He was later sacrificed by her to the spirit of the Ẹ̀sìnmìrìn river upon which he became an orisha. He is celebrated during the Edì festival in Ifẹ̀.


igberiko

/ì.ɡ͡bè.ɾí.kō/

From ìgbèrí (“fringe; edge”) + oko (“farm; field”)


sọmọdọbọ

/sɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.dɔ̀.bɔ̄/

From sọ di (“to make into”) + ọmọ (“child”) + ọ̀bọ (“monkey”), literally “to make a child into a monkey”.


ege irọlẹ

/è.ɡé ì.ɾɔ̀.lɛ́/

ègé (“dribbling”) + ìrọ̀lẹ́ (“evening”), literally “evening dribbling”


mọwe

From mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìwé (“book”), literally “to know books”.

(idiomatic) to be intelligent; to know one's stuff


fọ leti

From fọ́ (“to break”) + ní (“in; at”) + etí (“ear”).

Màá fọ́ ẹ létí!

I'll slap you! (literally, “I'll shatter your ear!”)


ba jẹ

Ó ti bà jẹ́.

Olú ba iṣu jẹ́.

Àyíká ti bà jẹ́.

(splitting verb, ergative) to spoil; to ruin; to destroy; to damage; to corrupt

Mo rò pé ohun tí mo sọ ba ọ̀rẹ́ mi nínú jẹ́.

Inú ìyá mi bà jẹ́

My mother's sad (literally, “My mother's inside is ruined”)

(splitting verb, with inú) to upset; to be sad; to be troubled

Ọkàn ẹ̀ bà jẹ́

She's heartbroken (literally, “Her heart has been destroyed”)

(splitting verb, with ọkàn) to be heartbroken; to be heartsick; to be disheartened

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni! Ìwọ! Kó o tó bà mí lórúkọ jẹ́

2021, FAAJI TV, 5:04–5:08 from the start, in AJANAKU Latest Yoruba Movie 2021 Drama | 2021 Yoruba Movies Starring Itele | Regina Chukwu:

(splitting verb, with orúkọ) to bring shame to one's name; to give one a bad reputation


dọti bi ẹlẹdẹ

head

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

yo-pos

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

yo-verb

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

/dɔ̀.tí bí ɛ̄.lɛ́.dɛ̀/

(simile, sometimes offensive) to be as dirty as a pig


eti-ologbo

From etí (“ear”) + ológbò (“cat”), literally “Cat's ear”.

compound

Auricularia auricula-judae
Auricularia auricula-judae#Translingual

Any two kinds of mushroom which resemble ears (wood ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) and cloud ear fungus (Auricularia cornea))


ẹsẹ-adiẹ

/ɛ̄.sɛ̀.ā.dì.ɛ̄/

From ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”) + adìẹ (“chicken”), literally “Chicken's foot”.

The edible fungus Schizophyllum commune, which resembles the foot of a chicken


olu-ọran

/ō.lú.ɔ̄.ɾã́/

The edible fungi Termitomyces microcarpus


oluwongaga

/ō.lú.wō.ŋ̄.ɡā.ɡā/

Olúwon̄gaga ni oríṣi olú kan tí ó máa ń hù lórí ààtàn tí ó sì máa ń kú ní ọjọ́ kan náà

The fungus Coprinellus ephemerus is a type of mushroom that grows on dunghills and is said to die that same day

The fungi Coprinellus ephemerus, it is regarded as being poisonous and grows on dunghills


takele

From ta (“to distinguish, to stand out”) + òkèlè (“morsel”), literally “A mushroom that stands out in a morsel”.

The edible fungus Termitomyces clypeatus


adunmadẹẹkẹẹ

head

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

yo-pos

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

yo-noun

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

adùnmádẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ẹ́

/ā.dũ̀.má.dɛ̀ɛ́.kɛ̀ɛ́/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dùn (“to be sweet”) + máà (“does not”) + dé (“reach”) + ẹ̀ẹ̀kẹ́ (“cheek”), literally “That which is sweet without reaching the mouth”.


atike-ọla

From àtíkè (“powder”) + ọlà (“wealth”), literally “Powder of wealth”.

compound

(slang, neologism, euphemistic) cocaine, heroin, hard drug


aaṣaa-ita

/āá.ʃáà.ī.tà/

From aáṣáà (“snuff, tobacco”) + ità (“The tree Celtis mildbraedii”), literally “Snuff of the Celtis mildbraedii”.

The inedible fungi Daldinia concentrica, it grows on the dead wood of the tree Celtis mildbraedii, where it is said to smell of snuff or tobacco.


ọgọ

Ìbàdàn m'Èsì ọ̀gọ̀ ― The people of Ibadan, who know the man-eating wild boar (oríkì Ìbàdàn)

(rare, archaic, Ibadan) wild boar, Giant forest hog


gbẹ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *gbɛ̃̀, cognate with Igala gbẹ̀

(chiefly CY, transitive, intransitive) to plant; to sow


gbẹ

Proposed to come from Proto-Yoruboid *gbɛ, cognate with Igala gbẹ

(intransitive) to become dry; to become dehydrated


gbẹ

(intransitive) to become emaciated or evaporated


gbẹ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *gbɛ̃́, cognate with Igala gbẹ́

to carve or sculpt; (in particular) to carve or sculpt something out of wood or stone


gbẹ

wọ́n gbẹ́ kànga

(transitive, intransitive) to dig; to dig up


gbẹ

abodìẹ́ ń gbẹ́ kẹ́kẹ́ lórí ẹyin

(intransitive) to cackle; (specifically referring to the cackle a hen makes when laying her eggs)


eekẹnna

/èé.kɛ̃́.nã́/

(Òǹkò) Alternative form of èékánná (“nail, claw”)


agutẹn

(Òǹkò) Alternative form of àgùtàn (“sheep”)


le koko bi oju ẹja

/lē kō.kō bí ō.d͡ʒú ɛ̄.d͡ʒā/


rẹwa bi egbin

/ɾɛ̄.wà bí ē.ɡ͡bĩ̄/

(simile) to be as beautiful as a kob antelope


nẹ

Cognates with Itsekiri nẹ́, Ifè nɛ́, Yoruba ní

Fú mi urun dede kí wẹn nẹ́ nọ́yín!

Give me everything you have now! (Ijebu)


nẹ

Líwo yẹ̀n nẹ obì náti mu àyọ̀nmọ́ wọn

The Liwo tossed the kolanuts to know their destiny

(Ijebu) to toss split kolanuts for divination


nẹ

Màá nẹ orúwo mi nénìí


dun bi oyin

/dũ̀ bí ō.jĩ̄/


ga bi omiran

/ɡā bí ò.mĩ̀.ɾã́/


kuru bi kukute

head

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté

yo-pos

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté

yo-verb

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté


pirọrọ bi ẹja ojiji

/k͡pī.ɾɔ̄.ɾɔ̄ bí ɛ̄.d͡ʒā ò.d͡ʒí.d͡ʒí/

(simile) to be as calm as an electric eel


lowo bi ṣẹkẹrẹ

head

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-pos

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-verb

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

/ló.wó bí ʃɛ̀.kɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

From the fact that ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ were traditionally adorned with cowry shells (owó ẹyọ), which were also used as money.


rẹwa

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - rẹwàview map

OkunOwéKabbahunwàTORONTONote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


omiran

Possibly from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mìíràn (“other”), compare with mìíràn and ìmíràn. Cognates include Ede Idaca òmírìn.

af

àkùkọ gàgàrà tí kò fẹ́ kí òmíràn kọ!

The powerful rooster that doesn't want another one to crow!

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òmírànview map

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESÌbàdànÌbàdànòmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESÌlọrinÌlọrinòmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́òmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESÒgbómọ̀ṣọ́òmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESÌkirèòmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESÌwóòmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàòmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESBɛ̀nɛ̀òmírànHOMME DE LETTRES

ìmíìHOMME DE LETTRESNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaòmìnrínHOMME DE LETTRESEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàòmírìnHOMME DE LETTRESIfɛ̀Akpáréòmírɛ̃̀HOMME DE LETTRESAtakpamɛòmírɛ̃̀HOMME DE LETTRESEst-Monoòmírɛ̃̀HOMME DE LETTRESTchettiòmírɛ̃̀HOMME DE LETTRESNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

have converged with those of Standard Yorùbá leading to the creation of what can be labeled Common Yorùbá. It can be assumed that the Standard Yorùbá term can also be used in most Nigerian varieties alongside native terms

especially amongst younger speakers. This does not apply to the other Nigerian Yoruboid languages of Ìṣẹkírì and Olùkùmi


jiroro

/d͡ʒí.ɾò.ɾò/


gbadura

/ɡ͡bà.dú.ɾà/


gbin

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *gbɛ̃̀, cognate with Igala gbẹ̀.


nipọn

/nĩ́.ꜜk͡pɔ̃̄/


akaba

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kàbà (“to make a heavy step”).


akasọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kà + sọ̀.


Oke

They may be further specified by the mountain they are associated with (ex. Òkè Olúmọ for the deity believed to inhabit the Olúmọ rock.

Orisha associated with specific locations include Òkè Olúmọ, Òkè Ìdànrè, Òkèmelú, and Òkè Ìbàdàn

A general name for any orisha or deity that is believed to inhabit mountains, hills, or large rocks.

A prefix of a name given to worshippers of the orisha of mountains, a shortening of such a name (ex. Òkétáyọ̀)

It is given to a child who is believed to have come to life through the power of the odù Ifá chapter Ìrẹtẹ̀ Àáyá (Ìrẹtẹ̀-Ògùndá).

orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá
orukọ amutọrunwa#Yoruba

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá


Otura

The thirteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

ojú odù

principal signs of the Ifa divination system

The thirteenth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the thirteenth principal chapter, (Òtúrá méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Òtúrá.

The thirteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Òtúrá divination sign.


Ẹsẹntaye

Ẹsẹ̀ǹtáyé (canonical)
Ẹsẹ̀n̄táyé (canonical)

From ẹsẹ̀ (“feet”) + tọ́ (“to touch lighty”) + ayé (“life, Earth”), literally “Stepping onto life”.


Ọta

Ota (an Àwórì Yoruba town in Ogun, Nigeria), it is the historic capital of the Àwórì people.


gbẹgiri

/ɡ͡bɛ̀.ɡì.ɾì/

Rírò lọbẹ̀ gbẹ̀gìrì, táà bá ròó a máa díkókó

Gbegiri soup requires constant stirring, if we don't stir it, it will become lumpy

A type of stew or soup made from grounded and cooked beans. When combined with ewédú soup, it forms a stew known as àbùlà


fuyẹ

(idiomatic) to be relieved from a sickness


singbọnlẹ

/sĩ́.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.lɛ̀/


taaba

(Islam) to perform wudu; to wash parts of the body before prayer

to wash one's body after using the toilet


ṣun

Inez sọ pé: “A kọ́ wọn láti máa bójú tó ilé, láti máa ṣún nǹkan lò, àti láti máa tọ́jú aṣọ ara wọn.

1998, “Irú Ọjọ́ Ọ̀la Wo Lo Fẹ́ fún Àwọn Ọmọ Rẹ?”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

Says Inez: “We taught them to care for the home, to be economical, and to care for their own clothes.

to save; to conserve; to manage (money; energy)


langa-langa

/lá.ŋ̀.ɡà.lá.ŋ̀.ɡà/


aṣadi

A general name for any of the African species of the order Accipitriformes, specifically the hawk, kite, or eagle.


awodi apẹja

From àwòdì (“hawk”) + apẹja (“fisher”), literally “Fisher hawk”.


Iragbiji

Ìrágbìjí (canonical)
Ìrágbìji (canonical)

/ì.ɾá.ɡ͡bì.d͡ʒí/

/ì.ɾá.ɡ͡bì.d͡ʒī/

A local etymology states, ìrá (“A type of tree, likely Rauvolfia vomitoria”) + gbà (“to contain, to provide”) + ìji (“shade”), literally “The place where the ìrá tree provides a shade”

Iragbiji (A Yoruba town in Osun, Nigeria)


iṣẹnbaye

/ì.ʃɛ̀.ŋ̀.bá.jé/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣe (“to do, to practice”) + ẹni (“person”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bá (“meet”) + ayé (“life”), literally “The practices that already exist when a person is born”.


iṣẹnbaye

/ì.ʃɛ̀.ŋ̀.bá.jé/


ile ikohun-iṣẹnbaye-si

head

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

yo-pos

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

yo-noun

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

ilé ìkóhun-ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé-sí

From ilé (“house”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to place”) + ohun (“thing”) + ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé (“ancient, prehistoric”) + sí (“into”), literally “The house that houses ancient and prehistoric things”.


ibi-ikohun-iṣẹnbaye-si

From ibi (“place”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to place”) + ohun (“thing”) + ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé (“ancient, prehistoric”) + sí (“into”), literally “The place that houses ancient and prehistoric things”.


yẹpẹrẹ

/jɛ̄.k͡pɛ̄.ɾɛ̄/


yẹpẹrẹ

/jɛ̄.k͡pɛ̄.ɾɛ̄/


baalẹ

From baba (“father”) + oní (“one who has”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “Father of the town”.

Examples of modern day monarchs in Nigeria whom were originally baálẹ̀ include the Ṣọ̀ún of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ and the Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdàn, whom both answered to the Aláàfin

baálórí l'ó nilórí, baálẹ̀ l'ó nìlú, òun sì lọkọ ìlú, ṣùgbọ́n ọba l'ó nilẹ̀ ― The husband owns the house, and the baálẹ̀ owns the village, he is the lord of the community, but the king owns the land (proverb on authority)

In pre-colonial Yoruba society, the head or ruler of a small village or a town. In modern day Nigeria, most baálẹ̀ have been recognized as a king of their own respective village.


baale

*Possibly from Arabic بَعْل (baʕl, “husband, lord”) or baba (“father”) + ilé (“house”), literally “Father of the house”

baálé gbọ́dọ̀ gbọ́ sí ọ̀rọ̀ yìí

The head of the household must surely hear of this matter!

baálé-ilé

family elder, agnatic head of an extended family


walahi

From Hausa wàllāhì, ultimately from Arabic وَٱللّٰهِ (wal-lāhi).

may God be my witness
may God be my witness


jeburẹ awo olugbẹbẹ

/d͡ʒè.bù.ɾɛ́ à.wō ō.lù.ɡ͡bɛ́.bɛ̀/

From jẹ (“eat”) + èbùrẹ́ (“Crassocephalum rubens plant”) + awo (“Ifa priest”) + olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + gbà (“accept”) + ẹ̀bẹ̀ (“plea”), literally “You Ifa priest, eat the ebure herb and accept the plea”.

Ẹ dákun, ẹ jèbùrẹ́ awo olùgbẹ́bẹ̀

(idiomatic, euphemistic) sorry, relax, don't be upset, calm down


Owu

Most folk etymologies believe it derives from òwú (“cotton”)

A Yoruba subethnic group historically living in several towns within the vicinity of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire, they now mainly live in the town of Abẹ́òkúta in Ògùn State, Nigeria. While they are often regarded as the Ẹ̀gbá Òwu, they are distinct from the Ẹ̀gbá people.

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Òwu people


Owu

Owu (an Ìgbómìnà town in the Ìṣin district of Kwara town in Ondo, Nigeria)


ẹn

Ọ̀jọ̀gbọ́n Afọlábí! — Ẹ̀n?

(non-polite, used with people younger than you) Used to answer to one's name.


ẹn

Ǹjó'o lọ s'ọ́jà lánàá? — Ẹn, mo lọ o.

Did you go to the market yesterday? — Yes, I did.

(colloquial) yes (when asked a question)


akoro

The term is largely only used in poetry or religious references in Standard Yorùbá, where it refers to a coronet. Its semantic environment is significantly restricted in comparison to its SEY counterparts. Its existence in Itsekiri ẹkòró (“hat”) may suggest a borrowing from Oǹdó or Ìkálẹ̀ to Yorùbá or suggests that the term may be of Proto-Edekiri origin. Also see Itsekiri ikoroghẹ̀ (“crown”).
The origin of Sense 2 comes from the association with Ògún as a warrior-king, thus his "crown" is a helmet one uses in battle.

coronet or small crown, worn by chiefs and nobles


ẹpọn

ẹpọ̀n àgbò ń ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, kò níí já

The testes of a ram can only swing, they will not tear or snap off (proverb on survival against many odds)


ẹpọn

From ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ́n (“to be deeply red”).

af

ẹpọ́n ń ṣàn lẹgbẹ lójú ọgbẹ́

Blood was gushing out profusely from the wound


ẹpọn

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ́n (“to modify”).


sẹriya

bor

Arabic شَرِيعَة (šarīʕa)

Màá dá sẹ̀ríyà sí i


sadankata

From Arabic صَدَقَ (ṣadaqa, “true, truthful”).


alalẹ

From oní- (“one who has”) + alẹ̀ (“land”), literally “The one who owns the land”; see Ẹmilálẹ̀, probably related to Proto-Yoruboid *Á-lɛ̀, a term for the deity associated with the personification of the Earth

af

orí alálẹ̀ yóò gbè wá

May the guardian spirit of the community favor us!

Àjàlémògún jẹ́ alálẹ̀ ìlú Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

Ajalemogun is the guardian spirit of the town of Ilara-Mokin

ancestor, local earth spirit (imọlẹ̀), the guardian spirit of a specific town or people


logun ọfẹ

/ló.ɡũ̄ ɔ̄.fɛ̄/

From ológun (“warrior”) + ọfẹ (“Lightness that cause quick mobility”), literally “The warrior that is quick on his feet”.

compound

A greeting used to hail a powerful warrior or warlord

Lógun ọfẹ

title or nickname for a powerful warrior


agbẹdu

/ā.ɡ͡bɛ̀.dū/

*Possibly from a- (“agent prefix”) + gbẹ̀du (“a large type of drum”), literally “That which is large like the gbẹ̀du drum” (1)
*From a- (“agent prefix”) + gbẹ̀du (“a deep resonating sound”) (2)


ololufẹ

From oní- (“one who has”) + olùfẹ́ (“lover”).


ayanfẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yàn (“to chose”) + fẹ́ (“to love”), literally “That who I have chosen to love”

Àyànfẹ́ mi tọ́jú mi, tọ́jú mi bí ìfẹ́ òdodo àti ìfẹ́ nìkan ẹ

My lover take care of me, take care of me like your one and only true love


aridunnu

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + dùnnú (“to be happy”), literally “The one who I see and makes me happy”.

Àrídùnnú mi, oyin dídùn mi, kẹ́ mi, kẹ́ ara mi títí ọjọ́ tí n bá jáde láyé

My lover, my sweet honey, take care of me, care for my body until the day I leave this earth/life


ẹni ti ọkan mi yan

/ɛ̄.nĩ̄ tí ɔ̄.kã̀ mĩ̄ jã̀/

From ẹni (“person, the one”) + tí (“that”) + ọkàn (“heart”) + mi (“my”) + yàn (“to choose”), literally “The one my heart has chosen”.


عَِنِ تِ وَْكَن مِ يَن

head

عَِنِ تِ وَْكَن مِ يَن

عَِنِ تِ وَْكَن مِ يَن (transliteration needed)

yo-pos

عَِنِ تِ وَْكَن مِ يَن

yo-noun

عَِنِ تِ وَْكَن مِ يَن

ẹni tí ọkàn mi yàn
ẹni ti ọkan mi yan#Yoruba

en-عَِنِ_تِ_وَْكَن_مِ_يَن-yo-phrase--gimaCi5


lode oni

From ní (“in”) + òde (“public, outside place”) + òní (“today”), literally “In today's world”.


BI-EE

Nínú wọn ni ẹ̀kọ́ onípò àkọ́kọ́ tí amọ̀ sí BÍ-EÈ‚ BÍ-ẸẸ̀DÌ‚ BÍ-ẸẸ̀SIÌ àti àwọn onípele ńlá tí ń jẹ́ Ẹ́M-EÈ, Ẹ́M-ẸẸ̀Dì, Ẹ́M-ẸẸ̀SÌ, títí dé àwọn oyè imọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀ tí wọ́n ń pè ní Ph.D.

2012, Fẹ̀hìntọlá Mosádomi, Ph.D., “Chapter 12 Orí - Kejìlá: Campus Life”, in Yorùbá Yé Mi: A Beginning Yorùbá Textbook, Austin, Texas: The University of Texas at Austin, →ISBN, →LCCN, Lesson 3 - Ẹ̀kọ́ Kẹta: Facilities, page 294:


BI-ẸẸDI

/bí.ɛ̄ɛ̀.dì/

Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Education


egboogi

/ē.ɡ͡bòō.ɡī/

herbal medicine consisting of the use of herbs, bark, and roots


gbongbo

/ɡ͡bò.ŋ̀.ɡ͡bò/

Noun sense derives from the ideophone sense

ilé náà gbòǹgbò

(of an object) to be protruding, large, and heavy


gbongbo

/ɡ͡bò.ŋ̀.ɡ͡bò/

àfòmọ́ kò ní gbòǹgbò, gbogbo igi níí bá tan

Mistetoe has no roots, hence it is friendly with any standing tree (proverb on dependency)


tanapoṣo

From tanná (“to turn on the light”) + pa (“to kill”) + oṣó (“sorcerer”), literally “Turn on the light and kill the sorcerer”
* Possibly in reference to the bright colors of the flowers.

A name for a series of flowering plants
(Ondo) The plant Synedrella nodiflora

A name for a series of flowering plants
The plant Synedrella nodiflora

A name for a series of flowering plants
The plant Heinsia crinita

Mirabilis jalapa
Mirabilis jalapa#Translingual

A name for a series of flowering plants
The plant Mirabilis jalapa


afomọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fò (“to fly; to jump”) + mọ́ (“towards”).

af

(agriculture) epiphyte; air plant
mistletoe


Gambari

/ɡà.ŋ̀.bà.ɾí/

(sometimes derogatory) A term for people living north of Yorubaland, specifically the Hausa people and Nupe people.

a surname, often belonging to someone of Northern Nigerian descent


ẹẹọ

(Ekiti) Alternative form of èèwọ̀ (“taboo, abomination”)


ẹẹọ

(Ekiti) Alternative form of èèwọ̀ (“never!”)


achọ

(Òǹkò) Alternative form of aṣọ (“cloth, garment, clothing”)


dii-ẹẹni-ee

head

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

yo-pos

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

yo-noun

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

díí-ẹ̀ẹ́ní-eè

/díí.ɛ̀ɛ́.ní.ēè/


ibale

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bá (“to meet”) + ilé (“home”), literally “The act of finding someone still at home”
* This is referring to the notion of purity associated with virginity


ojojo

/ò.d͡ʒò.d͡ʒò/

minor ailment, not as severe as a sickness (àrùn and àìsàn).


iṣupo

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣú (“to inherit (a widow)”) + opó (“widow”), literally “The act of inheriting a widow of one's male relative as a wife”.


onipẹrẹnsẹ

head

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

yo-pos

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

yo-noun

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́

/ō.nĩ́.k͡pɛ́.ɾɛ̀.ŋ̀.sɛ́/

Èmi ò ní torí onípẹ́rẹ̀ǹsẹ́ kú ― I will not die for the sake of the northern foreigners (from the oríkì of Ilé-Ifẹ̀)

(Ifẹ, derogatory, ethnic slur, historical) a term used to refer to people of ethnic groups to the north of Ifẹ̀, including the Nupe people, Hausa people, and Ìyàgbà people.


adiitu

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to bind”) + ì (“negative prefix”) + tú (“to unravel”), literally “That which is bound and cannot be unraveled”.


ekutu

a type of whistle or horn used by a hunter; dog whistle


Ẹfunṣetan

/ɛ̄.fṹ.ʃē.tã́/

From Blend of ẹfun (“chalk, purity (a symbol of Ọbàtálá)”) + ṣetán (“to finish”), literally “The orisha Ọbàtálá has accomplished a task”.

blend

a female given name meaning “the òrìṣà Ọbàtálá has accomplished a task”


Ẹfunpọroye

From Blend of ẹfun (“chalk (a symbol of Ọbàtálá)”) + ìpọ̀rí (“ancestral source of the destiny of one's lineage”) + oyè (“honor”), literally “Ọbàtálá is the ancestral source of our lineage's destiny”.

a female given name meaning “Ọbàtálá is the ancestral source of our lineage's destiny”


oloye

From oní- (“one who has”) + oyè (“a chieftancy title”).


Parakoyi

A class of Yoruba traditional chiefs who are responsible for administering trade, commerce, and the market and economy of a Yoruba society (specifically among the Ọ̀yọ́).


ilumoye

From ìlú (“town”) + mọ (“to know”) + oyè (“chieftaincy title”), literally “The town knows who to give a chieftaincy title”.


akojọ orukọ-iwe

head

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

yo-pos

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

yo-noun

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

àkójọ orúkọ-ìwé

/à.kó.d͡ʒɔ̄ ō.ɾú.kɔ̄.ì.wé/

From àkójọ (“collection, collectivity”) + orúkọ (“names”) + ìwé (“paper, journal”), literally “A collection of a list of papers”.


ọmọwe

/ɔ̀.mɔ̃̀.wé/

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìwé (“books, education”), literally “One who is well knowledged in formal education”.

af

doctor (a person who has attained a doctorate), Ph.D.


ọmiwe

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìwé (“book, education”).

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ọ̀mọ̀wé (“scholar, philosopher, doctor”)


ọmuwe

/ɔ̀.mʊ̃̀.wé/

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ùwé (“book, education”).

(Ekiti, Ondo) Alternative form of ọ̀mọ̀wé (“scholar, philosopher, doctor”)


ahọn

Central Yorùbá and Southeast Yorùbá have underwent less change from the proposed Proto-Yoruboid form, Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-ɓã́. Also see intermediate-languages, Proto-Yoruba *ʊ-wã́, *ɪ-wã́, from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ-wã́, *ɪ-wã́

ahọ́n-ọn rẹ̀ẹ́ tutù


palarun

Its uniqueness to only the Àkúrẹ́ subdialect of Èkìtì and lack of semantic cognates in other Proto-Yoruba branches strongly suggests an inter-dialectal borrowing from SEY forms (likely Oǹdó) meaning "lip." Compare with Ijebu Yoruba ùpọ́nrun, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ùpánrun, Itsekiri ùkpárun, Oǹdó Yoruba ùpánún, The "run" part likely relates to roots for "mouth," see Yoruba ẹrụn, while ùpọ́n means "red." Thus, the word meaning "the red part of the mouth," may have caused the meaning to shift from lip to tongue. Fresco '70 also documents an attested Èkìtì form, ụpọ́nrụn, (which has largely been displaced by ètè (“lip”), which may suggest, along with Olukumi ekpùpẹrún and Ede Nago ɛkpɔ̃, a common inheritance of this root from Proto-Edekiri. Also see Ifè bèbèlè-arũ, which is likely a maintenance of the use of the term "mouth" as the base term compounded to make lip.
Further evidence that this is a borrowing can be seen from the fact that this root does not resemble any other Yoruboid root for tongue, and in fact, a synonym, ụọ́n, a term cognate with other dialectal words for tongue, is still used by not only other Ekiti speakers, but other speakers of the Àkúrẹ́ dialect. In addition, "palarun" does not maintain the /ʊ/ found in the word for mouth, likely suggesting the word was borrowed from a language that did not have /ʊ/ in its sound inventory (which is all the SEY dialects)
Borrowing of body parts between SEY and Àkúrẹ́ with slight semantic shifts is attested, see for example Èkìtì ẹ̀tụ̀pá (“foot”) to Oǹdó ẹ̀tìpá (“thigh”). However this root is also found in Ìjẹ̀bú ọ̀pásẹ̀

(Oǹdó, Ìkálẹ̀)

pálárun mi í yún mí lígbì kí mọ jẹ jíjẹ èyé Yẹ́mi

My tongue was itching me when I ate Yemi's mom's food


kokodia

Izon: ìkòkódìà

Probably from Portuguese coqueiro, but likely through an intermediary via Portuguese-Edo or Itsekiri interaction, compare with Edo ekokodia, Itsekiri kokodie, and Urhobo ukokódia.


asẹn

(Ọwọ) Alternative form of asín (“shrew”)


wuwo

From Proto-Yoruba *wówo, *-wo, from Proto-Edekiri *-wó, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *-ɓó. Compare with Ifè wówo, Itsekiri wó, Olukumi wó, Ede Nago wo, and Igala wójì.


ekiki

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kikì (“partial reduplication of kì (“to recite; to praise”)”).


ẹmọ

From ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ (“to drink”). Compare with Olukumi ẹmọ

(Ikalẹ, Òǹkò) Alternative form of ẹmu (“palm wine”)


ẹmọ

bush rat; (in particular) Tullberg's soft-furred mouse


ọhẹ

(Ikalẹ) Alternative form of ọ̀sẹ̀ (“week”)


agbojẹ

/ā.ɡ͡bó.d͡ʒɛ̄/

(Ikalẹ) Nigerian walnut (Plukenetia conophora)


ọfan

(Ondo) Alternative form of ọ̀fun (“throat”)


ekeegbe

/è.kéè.ɡ͡bè/

(Ondo) Alternative form of ìdérègbè (“goat”)


yẹi

(Ondo) Alternative form of yẹ̀rì (“skirt worn under an ìró”)


ẹri

Olúwẹri

general nickname for female river orisha


ẹri

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”).

ẹlẹ́rìí

witness, one who gives a testimony in court

evidence, proof, testimony, confirmation, data

mo jẹ́rìí ọmọ náà


pẹkirẹki

Adverb sense derives from the ideophone sense.

(of an object) to be repeatedly meeting unexpectedly


pẹkirẹki

wọ́n pàdé pẹ̀kírẹ̀kí lọ́nà oko

They coincidentally met on the way to the farm


onigbajamọ

/ō.nĩ́.ɡ͡bà.d͡ʒá.mɔ̃̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + gbàjámọ̀ (“the craft of a barber, razor”), ultimately from Arabic حَجَّام (ḥajjām).


ajẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ́ (“to be”), literally “One who creates, one who allows things to exist”.

Ìyàmi Àjẹ́

supernatural female spirits believed to have a large amount of power

They are believed to have powers of elemental, biological and artistic creation; healing; destruction; spiritual and physical development and fortification, this is the origin of the association with the term as being a witch.

In the Yoruba religion, the concept of the biological, spiritual, and creative powers (or àṣẹ) of all women and mothers

A female figure with supernatural powers.

(derogatory, proscribed) witch, sorceress


ẹlẹyamẹya

From ẹlẹ́yà (“member of a group”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ẹ̀yà (“group; part”), literally “That members of a [racial or ethnic] group only associate with their group”.

com

That members of a 􂀿racial or ethnic􂁀 group only associate with their group


agiriiki

/à.ɡí.ɾíì.kì/

genetically modified
genetically modified

Something that has been genetically modified or hybridized via agriculture


janmọọ

/d͡ʒã̀.mɔ̃́ɔ̃̀/

From Hausa jàma'à, ultimately from Arabic جَمَاعَة (jamāʕa). Cognate with Nupe jàmáà.


ibaada

From Hausa ìbādā̀, ultimately from Arabic عِبَادَة (ʕibāda).


omiye

(Ekiti) uterine sibling, maternal half sibling


mọnamọna

/mɔ̃̀.nã̀.mɔ̃́.nã́/


mọnamọna

/mɔ̃́.nã́.mɔ̃́.nã́/

Reduplication of mọ́ná (“to be bright”, literally “Multicolored snake”)


ilọsiwaju

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lọsíwájú (“to progress”), ultimately from lọ (“to go”) + sí (“to”) + iwájú (“forward”), literally “to move forward”.


ikẹgan

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kẹ́gàn (“to disparage”), ultimately from ké (“to announce”) + ẹ̀gàn (“criticism, rebuke”).

compound

the act of disparaging, disparagement, belittlement


alageere

/ā.lá.ꜜɡé.ɾé/

From oní- (“one who has”) + àgéré (“stilts”).

stiltwalker, someone who walks on stilts


eebu

From Contraction of èbíbú, ultimately from è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bíbú (“partial reduplication of bú to insult”).


eebu

From Contraction of èbìbù, ultimately from è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bìbù (“partial reduplication of bù to chip something off”).

(horticulture) A cutting of a mature plant used to cultivate the growing of a new plant, (in particular) a cutting or slice of a yam tuber


Jalumi

From jálu (“to plunge”) + omi (“water, river”), literally “To plunge into the water”
* This refers to the fact that most of the causalities in the battle came from Ìlọrin soldiers drowning in the Ọ̀tìn river

compound

(historical) A major battle of the Kiriji War that took place on November 1, 1878 in the town of Ìkìrun. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the war.


bandeeji

báńdéèjì (canonical)
báńdééjì (canonical)

/bá.ŋ́.déè.d͡ʒì/

/bá.ŋ́.déé.d͡ʒì/


ọjọgbọn

/ɔ̀.d͡ʒɔ̀.ɡ͡bɔ̃́/


وَْجوَْڠوَْن

head

وَْجوَْڠوَْن

yo-pos

وَْجوَْڠوَْن

yo-noun

وَْجوَْڠوَْن


onikaluku

oníkálùkù (canonical)
oníkálukú (canonical)

From oní- (“one who has”) + kálukú (“each person”)


olufẹ

From olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + fẹ́ (“to love”).


alawada

oní- (“the one who has”) + àwàdà (“joke”)


aporo

ebè

mound for growing certain crops such as yam


ogulutu

mud or concrete wall (made with ochre or clod)


ọbẹ to dun, owo lo pa a

ọbẹ̀ tó dùn (canonical)
owó ló pa á (canonical)

desc

→ Nigerian Pidgin: soup wey swit, na money kill am (calque)

(figurative) nothing good happens without money

(literal) delicious soups are procured with money


Sinbabuwe

Borrowed from English Zimbabwe, ultimately from Shona dzimba-dze-mabwe (“house of stones”), in reference to Great Zimbabwe.


Ṣaadi

Borrowed from English Chad, ultimately from Kanuri tsade (“lake”).


Siria Loonu

Borrowed from English Sierra Leone. Doublet of Sàró.


ijabẹ

/ì.d͡ʒá.bɛ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + já (“to break”) + ọbẹ̀ (“soup”).

af

A traditional Yoruba cooking broom used as a whisk to mash leaves when making stew. It is mainly used in the preparation of ewédú stew.


Sudaani

Borrowed from English Sudan, ultimately from Arabic سُودَان (sūdān).


aṣọ oke

→ English: aso oke

/ā.ʃɔ̄ ò.kè/

From aṣọ (“cloth”) + òkè (“uplands; hills”), literally “Cloth from the uplands”.

compound

aso oke, a type of Yoruba handwoven textile used for clothing

The clothes made from the aṣọ òkè fabric


aṣọ ofi

/ā.ʃɔ̄ ò.fì/

From aṣọ (“cloth”) + òfì (“loom”), literally “Cloth from the loom”.

highly prized fabric or clothes handwoven on a loom, (in particular) aso oke


sọrọ soke

/sɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ só.kè/

Calque of English speak up, from sọ (“to say”) + ọ̀rọ̀ (“word”) + sí (“to”) + òkè (“heights”)


سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

head

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ (transliteration needed)

yo-pos

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

yo-verb

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ


ipebi

A prolonged period of seclusion during which a newly elected Yoruba monarch undergoes ancestral rituals necessary before being formally crowned.


pakute

From pa (“kill”) + èkúté (“rat”), literally “That which kills rats”

compound

pàkúté dùn-ún dẹ


madaarikan

From máà (“do not”) + dá (“to make”) + orí (“head, personal spirit”) + kàn (“touch”), literally “That which prevent evil from touching's one's head”.

A type of Yoruba incantation or spell, used to ward off a preemptive supernatural attack


madaamidofo

From máà (“do not”) + dà (“to leave”) + mi (“me”) + dá (“to create”) + òfò (“loss, misfortune”), literally “Do not leave me to suffer misfortune alone”.


Gini-Bisau

Guinea-Bissau (a country in West Africa)


Siri Lanka

Sri Lanka (an island and country in South Asia, off the coast of India)


Sẹnẹga

/sɛ̀.nɛ̀.ɡà/


Ajẹntina

Ajẹntínà (canonical)
Ajẹn̄tínà (canonical)

/ā.d͡ʒɛ̄.ŋ̄.tí.nà/


igbadun

/ì.ɡ͡bá.dũ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbádùn (“to enjoy”), ultimately from gbé (“to carry”) + adùn (“sweetness”), literally “To carry enjoyment”.


igbafẹ

/ì.ɡ͡bā.fɛ́/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbà (“to receive”) + afẹ́ (“pleasure”).


gbadun

From gbé (“to carry”) + adùn (“sweetness”).


Bọgeria

/bɔ̀.ɡé.ɾí.à/


Jọjia

/d͡ʒɔ́.d͡ʒí.à/

Georgia (a state in the Southern United States)


Jọdani

Jordan (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East)

Jordan (a river in Western Asia, in the Middle East, that empties into the Dead Sea, flowing through Israel, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and Jordan)

Odò Jọ́dánì


Palẹsini

Palestine (a country in the Middle East)


afọwọfa

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“to use”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”) + fà (“to cause”), literally “To cause something with one's own hand”.


ijanu

/ì.d͡ʒá.nũ̄/

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + já + ẹnu (“mouth”)


ọgbọnọ

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɔ̀.nɔ̀/

ogbono seeds; the seeds from the fruit of the tree Irvingia gabonensis

ọbẹ̀ ọ̀gbọ̀nọ̀

ogbono soup; a mucilaginous soup made from ogbono seeds


Sipeeni

From English Spain. Doublet of Pànyán-àn.


Andọra

/à.ŋ̀.dɔ́.ɾà/


Isirẹli

Israel (a country in the Middle East, Asia)


Kosofo

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula#English

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English

Kosovo (A partly-recognized country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe)


Guusu Afirika

head

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

yo-pos

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

yo-prop

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

Gúúsù Áfíríkà

/ɡúú.sù á.fí.ɾí.kà/

South Africa (a country in Southern Africa)


Masẹdonia Ariwa

head

Masẹdóníà Àríwá

Masẹdóníà Àríwá

yo-pos

Masẹdóníà Àríwá

Masẹdóníà Àríwá

yo-prop

Masẹdóníà Àríwá

Masẹdóníà Àríwá


akọtọ

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ (“to write”) + tọ́ (“to be correct”)


ọdẹdẹ

/ɔ̀.dɛ̀.dɛ̀/

passage; corridor or hallway in a home or building

(by extension) a council or assembly of the married woman within an extended family


saaki

From Hausa sarkī (“king”), compare with dàńsáákì and doublet of sàràkí.

sáákì rẹ rèé o

A greeting or hail usually for a monarch, royal, or noble


gudugudu

gúdúgúdú ni baba ìlù

The gudugudu drum is the most senior of all the drums

The smallest type of Yoruba drum belonging to the dùndún class of Yoruba drums. It is believed to be the oldest type of drum in Yorubaland; and is thus regarded as the ancestor of all other drums.


Isẹse

(chiefly NWY) Alternative form of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (“Yoruba religion”)


imọran

/ì.mɔ̃̀.ɾã̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ọ̀ràn (“matters; problem; information”).


adahunṣe

From a- + dáhunṣe, literally “One who does things by oneself”, ultimately from dá (“to act alone”) + ohun (“thing”) + ṣe (“to do”).

compound

In modern usage; physician, doctor, pharmacist


ugba

From Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ-gbá, cognate with Yoruba igbá, Igbo ụgbā.

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual

(Ekiti, Ijebu, Ondo) calabash, the plant Lagenaria siceraria


ugbafẹ

/ù.ɡ͡bā.fɛ́/


jankariwọ

/d͡ʒà.ŋ̀.ká.ɾì.wɔ̀/


Uleya

From ulé (“house”) + yá (“to be ready”), literally “the house is ready”.


akurun

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kú (“to die”) + run (“to be destroyed”).


akẹku

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kẹ̀ (“to decompose”) + kù (“to remain”).


ajẹku

/à.d͡ʒɛ̄.kù/

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + kù (“to be left over”)


ajẹpako

→ Nigerian Pidgin: ajepako, ajekpako

→ English: ajepako, ajekpako

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + pákó (“wooden plank”), literally “wooden plank eater”

(informal, slang) person from an unprivileged background; a person that hustles


apejẹ

/à.k͡pè.d͡ʒɛ̄/

From à- (“nominalising prefix”) + pè (“to call”) + jẹ (“to eat”).


apejẹ

/à.k͡pè.d͡ʒɛ́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pè (“to call”) + jẹ́ (“to respond”).


ọkan-o-jọkan

/ɔ̀.kã̄ ò d͡ʒɔ̀.kã̄/

From ọ̀kan (“one”) + ò (“negating particle”) + jọ (“to resemble”) + ọ̀kan (“one”), literally “one doesn't seem like the other”.

com

Ọ̀kan-ò-jọ̀kan èdè tó wà lórílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà ń dàwátì lábẹ́ ìjẹgàba èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì

Nigeria's linguistic diversity is shrinking due to the hegemony of the English language.

variety; diversity (specified by the following noun)


ajẹbọ

→ Nigerian Pidgin: ajebo

→ English: ajebo

/ā.d͡ʒɛ̄.bɔ́/

(slang, informal) Alternative form of ajẹbọ́tà (“person from a privileged background”)


ajọdun

/à.d͡ʒɔ̀.dṹ/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jọ (“together, jointly”) + ọdún (“festival”).


amuku

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mu (“to drink; to smoke”) + kù (“to remain”).


arokọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rò (“to think”) + kọ (“to write”).


akaye

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kà (“to read”) + yé (“to understand”).

comprehension (thorough understanding of written text)


afomọ aarin

head

àfòmọ́ àárín

àfòmọ́ àárín

yo-pos

àfòmọ́ àárín

àfòmọ́ àárín

yo-noun

àfòmọ́ àárín

àfòmọ́ àárín

/à.fò.mɔ̃́ àá.ɾĩ́/

From àfòmọ́ (“affix”) + àárín (“middle”).

-kí- ni àpẹẹrẹ àfòmọ́ àárín; ó ń sọ "ibi" di "ibikíbi".

-kí- is an example of an infix; it turns "ibi" (place) into "ibikíbi" (anywhere).


afomọ ibẹrẹ

head

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-pos

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-noun

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

àfòmọ́ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀

/à.fò.mɔ̃́ ì.bɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

From àfòmọ́ (“affix”) + ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ (“start”).


afomọ ipari

head

àfòmọ́ ìparí

àfòmọ́ ìparí

yo-pos

àfòmọ́ ìparí

àfòmọ́ ìparí

yo-noun

àfòmọ́ ìparí

àfòmọ́ ìparí

/à.fò.mɔ̃́ ì.k͡pā.ɾí/


pokunso

From pa (“to form”) + okùn (“rope”) + so (“to hang”), literally “To form a rope and hang oneself”.


ami ohun aarin

head

àmì ohùn àárín

àmì ohùn àárín

yo-pos

àmì ohùn àárín

àmì ohùn àárín

yo-noun

àmì ohùn àárín

àmì ohùn àárín

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀ àá.ɾĩ́/

From àmì ohùn (“tone mark”) + àárín (“middle”).

com

mid-tone mark (◌̄), which is unmarked in Yoruba orthography except in cases of a tone-bearing nasal that may be ambiguous eg: gban̄gba


alakalaa

From àlá (“dream”) + -kí- (“infix”) + àlá (“dream”).


ami ohun isalẹ

head

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

yo-pos

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

yo-noun

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

àmì ohùn ìsàlẹ̀

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀ ì.sà.lɛ̀/

From àmì ohùn (“tone mark”) + ìsàlẹ̀ (“bottom”).


ami ohun oke

head

àmì ohùn òkè

àmì ohùn òkè

yo-pos

àmì ohùn òkè

àmì ohùn òkè

yo-noun

àmì ohùn òkè

àmì ohùn òkè

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀ ò.kè/

From àmì ohùn (“tone mark”) + òkè (“top”).


Agbọnmiregun

/à.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.mĩ̀.ɾè.ɡṹ/

Alternative form of Àgbọnnìrègún (“A nickname or oríkì name for the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà”)


awiṣẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wí (“to say”) + ṣẹ (“to take effect”), literally “That which or that who says something to take immediate effect”.

af

the act of saying something that takes immediate effect

àwíṣẹ ni ti Ifá; àfọ̀ṣẹ ni ti Ọ̀rúnmìlà

Prophecy is that of Ifa, accurate prediction is that of the orisha Orunmila

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) prophecy, usually used in reference to the powers of the orisha Ifá or Ifá divination


alọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lọ́ (“to twist, to make confusing”).

mo já àlọ́ náà


alọ

Àlọ́ ooo! Àlọ̀ ọ̀ọ̀ọ̀! Àlọ́ ooo! Àlọ̀ ọ̀ọ̀ọ̀! Àlọ́ mi dá fùrù gbá gbòó, ó dá lórí...

Used by the storyteller to the listeners to introduce a folktale or riddle


ami ohun ẹlẹyọọrodo

head

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

yo-pos

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

yo-noun

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀ ɛ̄.lɛ́.ꜜjɔ́.ɾō.dò/

From àmì ohùn (“tone mark”) + ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò (“falling”).
* ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò from oní- (“that which has”) + ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yọ́ (“to glide”) + rè (“to go”) + odò (“lower point”), literally “that which glides to a lower point”

com

ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò

af

falling-tone mark ( ˆ ), which is no longer used in Yoruba orthography


ami ohun ẹlẹyọọroke

head

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

yo-pos

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

yo-noun

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀ ɛ̄.lɛ́.ꜜjɔ́.ɾò.kè/

From àmì ohùn (“tone mark”) + ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè (“rising”).
* ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè from oní- (“that which has”) + ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yọ́ (“to glide”) + rè (“to go”) + òkè (“top”), literally “that which glides to the top”

com

ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè

af

falling-tone mark ( ˇ ), which is no longer used in Yoruba orthography


apetunpe

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pè (“to call; to pronounce”) + tún (“again”) + pè (“to call; to pronounce”).


ogidigbo

/ò.ɡì.dì.ɡ͡bó/

bí òwe, bí òwe, ni à ń lu ìlù ògìdìgbó, ọlọ́gbọ́n níí jó o, ọ̀mọ̀ràn níí sìí mọ̀ ọ́n
the ògìdìgbó drum is beaten in drum beats like proverbs, it is the wise who dance to its rhythm correctly, and only the wise can understand or decode it

A Yoruba drum belonging to the gbẹ̀du class of drums, it is used to make coded messages or send long-distance messages. It was mainly played in the royal court of the Aláàfin.


ogidigbo

/ò.ɡì.dì.ɡ͡bó/

àwọn ògìdìgbó ènìyàn-án wà níbẹ̀


ogido

wọ́n gbé dúró ní ògìdo

perpendicularity, the state of being perpendicular or vertical


ogunna

Ẹlẹ́yinjú ògúnná ― The one's who eyeballs are embers (oríkì òrìṣà Ṣàngó)


idọti

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dọ̀tí (“to be dirty”), ultimately from English dirty.


ẹgbin

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbin (“to groan, to display displeasure”), literally “That which causes one to display disgust”.

ọ̀gá jẹ mí ní ẹ̀gbin

(idiomatic) contempt, insult, humiliation


ẹgbin

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbìn (“to plant”).

(horticulture) plant, crop, (especially) if it was originally planted


pankuru

(Ekiti) (Ayédé) the tree Landolphia owariensis (white rubbervine, white-ball-rubber), a major source of rubber and latex


iyadudu

(Ekiti) (Igbèmọ̀) the plant Mallotus oppositifolius


kọngọ

/kɔ̀.ŋ̀.ɡɔ́/

/kɔ́.ŋ́.ɡɔ́/

Noun sense derived from ideophone sense. Compare Nupe kòǹgó


kọngọ

/kɔ̀.ŋ̀.ɡɔ́/

/kɔ́.ŋ́.ɡɔ́/

A bent stick used to play the Yoruba talking drum (dùndún and gángan families).


agẹrẹ

A type of drum belonging to the gbẹ̀du family of Yoruba drums, and a subfamily of drums. It is sacred to the orisha Ògún and mainly played by hunters.


onibata

From oní- (“one who has”) + bàtá (“bata drum”).


onibata

From oní- (“one who has”) + bàtà (“shoes”).


ipekere

chip, crisp; (in particular) plantain chip


igbẹ

gbogbo wọ́n ń foríbọ̀gbẹ́


igbẹ

Possibly from Etymology 1 as a euphemistic meaning since the bush was where defecation often occurred.


apoti

From Hausa àkwā̀tì or Nupe àkpàtì, cognates include Igbo akpàtì, Igala àkpàtì, Tee akpòté, Mada (Nigeria) kpàtì, Edo ẹkpẹtin, Urhobo ekpeti, Isoko ẹkpẹti, Gun àpòtín, and Fon akpótín.


apoti

(Ifọ́n) (Òkèlúsè) the tree Baphia pubescens


aleefa

(by extension, idiomatic) position of power


ọdundun

èyí l'ó mú kí Olódùmarè fọ̀dúndún ṣọba ewé, Ó mú tẹ̀tẹ̀ ṣe ọṣọ̀run-un rẹ̀; Ó mú òkun ṣe ọba omi, Ó mú ọ̀sà ṣe ọṣọ̀run-un rẹ

This is the reason Olodumare made the odundun plant the king of all the leaves, and he made the tete plant its second in command; he made the ocean the king of the oceans, and he made the lagoon its second in command

the name of several plants known for their calming properties, including Kalanchoe pinnata, Emilia fosbergii, Kalanchoe crenata, and Tabernaemontana pachysiphon.


ọdunkun

From Hausa kūdaku, cognate with Nupe dùkú, Igbo kukundùkú, Fula kudaku, and Kanuri kúnduwú, of the same etymological root as kúkúndùkú, Doublet of kúkúndùkú

Àbá mi è sọwọn tóko, àbá mi yóò pọ̀dùnkún bọ̀
My father does not arrive from the hunting forest in shame, my father will surely kill an odunkun rat home (Èkìtì family oríkì)


kẹkẹ

→ Nupe: kèké, kyàkyá

→ Edo: ikẹkẹ


kẹkẹ

of a ticking sound (for example, of a clock)


kẹkẹ

A type of Yoruba tribal scarification, characterized by being much more bolder, in comparison to the gọ̀m̀bọ́. They are mainly adorned by the Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́


kẹkẹ

(of an object) running in a spread out posture


Ọdọfin

/ɔ̀.dɔ̀.fĩ̄/

Possibly from ọ̀dọ̀ (“public, official, in the presence of the government”) + ọ̀fin (“palace”), literally “The physical presence of the palace”, compare with Ọlọ́fin. Probably cognate with Edo ọdafẹn (“husband”)

compound

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Yorubaland, titleholders are members of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà or Ògbóni chieftaincy councils in their respective towns.


ọtịta

Ultimately from an obsolete verb tà, perhaps originally meaning "to sit."


kogba wọle

From kó (“to pack”) + igbá (“calabash (used to display products)”) + wọ (“to enter”) + ilé (“house”).

com

(idiomatic) to go bankrupt; to go out of business; to close


ọtẹ

lọ́tẹ̀ yìí ni eré tóó ṣe

This time around that we are ready to play


ọtẹlẹmuyẹ

head

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

yo-pos

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

yo-noun

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ̀ (“to step”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”) + múyẹ́ (“quietly, gently”), literally “One who walks around quietly (while investigating)”.

af

(idiomatic) police detective, investigator


ọsa iṣẹ-aje

head

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

yo-pos

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

yo-noun

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

ọ̀sa iṣẹ́-ajé

/ɔ̀.sā ī.ʃɛ́.ā.d͡ʒé/

From ọ̀sa (“period of scarcity”) + iṣẹ́-ajé (“commercial enterprise”), literally “Period of reduced or limited commercial enterprise”.


iṣirun

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣí (“to peel off, to remove”) + irun (“irun”), literally “That which causes the hair to peel off”.


gbiyanju

/ɡ͡bì.jã̀.d͡ʒú/

From gbà (“to accept”) + ìyànjú (“effort, persistance”).

compound

to persevere, to try, to make a serious effort


sinmi

(intransitive) to cease from doing work, to take a break


bẹru

From bà (“to fear”) + ẹ̀rù (“fear”), literally “to fear fear”.

(transitive) to show respect, to venerate


fajuro

/fā.d͡ʒú.ɾō/

From fàro (“to change one's face into a frown”) + ojú (“face”), literally “To frown one's face”.


jẹwọ

From jẹ (“to enjoy, to consume”) + ẹ̀wọ̀ (“joke, fun”).


jẹwọ

to relocate to the palace of a town upon being crowned as a monarch of a town


sufee

From sú (“to whistle”) + ìfé (“the act of whistling”).


ṣeleri

From ṣe (“to make”) + ìlérí (“promise”).

(transitive, intransitive) to promise, to make a committment, to commit to


maginẹsiọ

magnesium (chemical element, Mg, atomical number 12)


bẹlẹjẹ

/bɛ̀.lɛ̀.d͡ʒɛ́/

aluminum (chemical element, Al, atomical number 13)


ikọkọrẹ

/ì.kɔ́.kɔ̄.ɾɛ́/

ikokore (a pottage made from purple yam (ewùrà) by the Ìjẹ̀bú people)


ọlẹlẹ

→ Nupe: lyàlyà, lèlè

→ Hausa: alele

/ɔ̀.lɛ̀.lɛ̀/

moimoi, a traditional Nigerian steamed bean pudding made from onions, black-eyed beans, red peppers, and other ingredients of choice.


ewura

purple yam; Dioscorea alata or Dioscorea smilacifolia

àkàrà ọ̀jọ̀jọ̀

a type of fried cake made from purple yam


Awoyale

From Blend of awo (“Ifa, oracle, occult”) + yà (“to branch off to”) + ilé (“house”), literally “the oracle Ifa has branched to the home”.

blend

a male given name meaning “The oracle Ifa has branched to the home”


ogburo

mo gbọ́ bòòsí ògbùró, mo pọ̀sẹ̀sẹ̀, mo ṣe bẹ́yẹ t'ó tóbi tó erin ni, àṣé kò jolongo lọ!

I heard the desperate cry of the ogburo bird, I quickened my steps in fear; I thought it was a bird as big as an elephant; behold, it turned out not to be bigger than the tiny firefinch

a type of bird in the family Columbidae, noted for being similar to the pigeon


ba ẹsẹ sọrọ

head

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

yo-pos

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

yo-verb

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

/bá ɛ̄.sɛ̀ sɔ̀.ɾɔ̀/


fori jale agbọn

/fō.ɾí d͡ʒá.lé ā.ɡ͡bɔ̃́/

From fi (“to use”) + orí (“head”) + já (“to break open”) + ilé (“house”) + agbọ́n (“wasp”).

com

(idiomatic) To commit a serious transgression; to land oneself in trouble

(literal) To use one's head to break a wasp's nest


afadurajagun

/ā.fà.dú.ɾà.d͡ʒā.ɡũ̄/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + fi (“to use”) + àdúrà (“prayer”) + jagun (“to fight a war”).


aladije

From a- (“agent prefix”) + là (“to referee”) + ìdíje (“competition, tournament”).


lagọlagọ

/lā.ɡɔ̀.lā.ɡɔ̀/

the fruit of the plant Paullinia pinnata


lailọọnu

/lá.í.lɔ́ɔ̀.nũ̀/

From English nylon with regressive assimilation.


dọ

(transitive) to cut a piece from a whole


dọ

ọmọ ń dọ́ lorí oúnjẹ tó fẹ́ẹ́ jẹ

The child was being picky about the food that he wanted to eat

to be picky or fussy about taste or choice of food


Ọramfẹ

/ɔ̀.ɾà.ŋ̀.fɛ̀/

Likely from Ọ̀rà (“Ọ̀rà hill”) + Ufẹ̀ (“Ifẹ̀ town”), literally “The mighty Ọ̀rà hill of Ifẹ̀”

compound

An orisha and legendary figure who aided in the early establishment of the town of Oǹdó

In Ifẹ̀, a primordial Supreme sky deity (imọlẹ̀) associated with thunder, fire, creation, rain, royalty, and jurisprudence. He later became the chief divinity of the ancient Ifẹ̀ Kingdom between the 9th-11th centuries AD. He is a precursor to Ṣàngó and Olódùmarè

another name for the orisha Ṣàngó (among the Ifẹ̀ people).


iroyin ẹlẹjẹ

head

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

yo-pos

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

yo-noun

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

ìròyìn ẹlẹ́jẹ̀

/ì.ɾò.jĩ̀ ɛ̄.lɛ́.d͡ʒɛ̀/

From ìròyìn (“news”) + ẹlẹ́jẹ̀ (“that which has blood”), literally “bloody news”.

com

fake news (news stories with false or misleading information, deliberately created to disinform).


koro bi ewuro

/kō.ɾò bí ē.wú.ꜜɾō/

(simile) to be as bitter as bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)


tọju

→ Gun: tɔ́jú

→ Fon: tɔ́jú

From tọ́ (“to raise well”) + ojú (“eye, face”).