ina

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ná (“to spend (money)”)

expenditure of money, the act of spending (money)


koda

kódà, wọ́n gbọ́ sí ọ̀rọ̀ náà

In fact, even they were aware of the matter


aga

Tree hyrax; (in particular) the Dendrohyrax interfluvialis


aga

(idiomatic) pubescent age; the age at which one becomes sexually mature


aga

the tree Musanga cecropioides; also known as the African corkwood tree


lati

láti rìn


muti

Ẹni tí ó mutí ogójì yóò sọ̀rọ̀ okòó

(literally, “Whoever drinks alcohol to the value of forty must talk to the value of twenty”)


dani

From dá (“to act alone”) + ní (“to have, to possess”)

compound

ó dá ìbọn ní

(splitting verb) Alternative form of dá ní (“to own or possess something completely by oneself”)

dá ní

ó dání ìbọn

(splitting verb) Alternative form of dá ní (“to take hold of something”)


dani

ọ̀rẹ́ tòótọ́ kìí dani


sose

Máa lọ tààrà, sòsé


wara

a kind of Fulani cheese, similar to cottage cheese


ure

(Ekiti, zootomy) the thigh or leg of an animal; (especially) when cooked


aya

Cognate with Igala ọ́yà, Ifè aya, Olukumi aya, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-yà


پ

The eighteenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script p.


sita

Contraction of sí ìta (“to the outside”).

contraction

Sọ ọ́ síta

Àbíkẹ́ máa ń lọ síta

Irun kan ń yọ síta


ila

wọ́n ń ká ilá tí kò gbó

A mucilaginous stew or soup made from okra

Examples include ilá-abilà (“hibiscus plant”) and ilá ìròkò (“Telfairia occidentalis”)

A term for plants similar to okra in terms of mucilaginous characteristics, especially when cooked


ila

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to cut, to divide, to separate, to slice”)

affix

traditional facial marks which were typically given to people when they were children. They were, and in some cases still are, used as a form of identification of ethnicity and group of origin, as well as a form of beautification of one's self.


ila

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to dilute”)


yee

Yéè! Ó dùn mí!

ouch; An expression in sympathy at another's pain.


tira

Claimed to be borrowed from Fulfulde by Abdulrazaq Mohammed Katibi. See Fula deftere, Fula defte, Maasina Fula dewtere from Arabic دَفْتَر (daftar). Probably via Middle Persian dptl (daftar), from Aramaic דפתרא / ܕܦܬܪܐ, originally from Ancient Greek διφθέρα (diphthéra). Compare likely cognate term Baatonum tireru, possibly also from Fulfulde.


irin

Cognate with Itsekiri urẹn. Possibly of Proto-Edekiri origin, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ-rɪ̃, *ɪ-rɪ̃

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - irinview map

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

iron (chemical element, Fe, atomic number 26)


irin

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rìn (“to walk”), compare with Igala ùlẹ̀, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ̀-rɪ̃̀

af

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìrìnview map


uda

(Ekiti) The red ironwood tree, Lophira alata


uda

(Ekiti, Ondo, Ọwọ) Alternative form of idà (“sword”)


olu

leader, head, chief; prominent one, hero

A common prefix for Yoruba given names and surnames, see Olú


olu

Not related to Igala óru (which instead is cognate with Yoruba osun, esunsun). Unclear if this etymology is related to Etymology 1. Possibly related to Igbo eru


ج

The eleventh letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script j.


د

The third letter of the Yorùbá alphabet in the Ajami Script.


س

The twentieth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script s.


ش

The twenty-first letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script ṣ.


غ

The seventh letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script.


ف

The sixth letter of the Yorùbá alphabet in the Ajami Script.


ك

The twelfth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script k.


ل

The thirteenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script l.


م

The fourteenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script m..


ن

The fifteenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script.


ه

The ninth letter of the Yorùbá alphabet in the Ajami Script.


ي

The twenty-fifth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script y.


naa

Èmi lẹni náà

I am that person (that was previously mentioned before)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - náàview map

ɛ́NOVIONote: 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

of a particular or previously mentioned entity; that, the


naa

Ara tèmi náà ò yá


naa

Èmi náà?


kaka

kàkà kí eku máà jẹ sèsé, a fi ṣe àwàdànù

Rather than have a rat not eat beans, it will spill them away (proverb on bad consequences)


jiga

→ English: chigoe, chigger

Tàpòtàpò là ń yọ jìgá, tewétewé là ń yan ẹ̀kọ
With their sac and all is how to remove chiggers; with its wrapping-leaves is the way to buy ẹ̀kọ.

One must do things thoroughly, not by halves.


iboji

From ibi (“place”) + òjìji (“shadow”), literally “Place that has a shadow”.


iboji

From ibi (“place”) + ojì (“an obsolete root meaning grave or tomb”). Cognate with Igala ójì, ójínójì


uwa

(Ondo) Alternative form of ùghà (“palace, throne, royal courtyard”)


tete

(zootomy) leg, (in particular) the leg of a non-human animal, usually referring to the leg of an ungulate


bata

Cognates include Edo ibata. Possibly related to or from Baatonum bataku or Baatonum bara


bata

→ English: bata

→ Portuguese: batá

→ Spanish: batá

→ Nupe: bàǹtá

batá drum, a kind of drum sacred to the orisha Ṣàngó, it is one of the 4 families of drums (ìlù) among the Yoruba.


pitan

From pa (“to tell”) + ìtàn (“story, history”).


raye

From rà (“to buy”) + iye (“amount, value”).


raye

From ra (“to decay”) + iyè (“memory, thought”).

to cause someone to lose their memory or consciousness


Naija

Niger (a country in West Africa, situated to the north of Nigeria)

A state of Nigeria in the North Central geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Minna


Naija

(slang) Nigeria (a country in West Africa, south of the country of Niger)


sori

Ó fi í sórí ibùsùn

Jókòó sórí àga


emi

I (emphatic first-person singular personal pronoun)

[preceding vowel repeated for monosyllabic verbs]


emi

Emi l'ẹ̀ ń ṣe t'ẹ́ ẹ fi pọ̀ báyìí

What are you doing that you gather together in this large group?


nian

From ní (“to have”) + ìan (“memory”), literally “to have a memory”

(Ondo) Alternative form of níran (“to remember”)

(Ondo) Alternative form of níran (“to remind someone”)


yun

Kí m bá kọrin á yùn ― If I sing it will be nice (Ìjẹ̀bú)

(Ijebu, Idanre) Alternative form of yọ̀n (“to be sweet; to be delicious; to be pleasurable”)


wu

òṣùpá wù mí jọ̀sán; ẹni t'ó ń ṣiṣẹ́ wù mí jọ̀lẹ lọ

The moon attracts me more than the afternoon, the person who works hard attracts me more than a lazy person

to be attractive; to be appealing to someone's taste


wu

igi máa ń wù, tó bá ti tutù

to decay, to rot; (literally) to grow or develop outgrowth because of rottenness


wu

ojú egbò ó wú

(idiomatic) to embolden, to dignify; to ennoble (literally) to make one's soul (orí) swell


wu

ojú egbò ó wú


waye

to come into existence; to come about; to occur


urere

(Ekiti) a species of hawk or kite similar to the àwòdì, likely the European honey buzzard


usi

(Ekiti) notability, prosperity, prestige


ewo

Èwo ni ẹ fẹ́ràn jù?


ade

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dé (“to wear on the head, to cap, to crown”), literally “that which is worn on the head”.

Adéṣidà

Yoruba name, "The crown has not broken any taboos'"

A common prefix in Yoruba given names and surnames for those born in royalty

the top part of something
the top part of a tree


osi

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òsìview map

OkunGbẹ̀dẹ̀Ìyá Gbẹ̀dẹ̀ohìそらÌbùnúBùnúohìそらÌjùmúÌjùmúohìそらÌkìrìAkutupa KiriohìそらÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóohìそらOwéKabbaohìそら

òsìそら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

Òsì

A title for the third in rank of a town or group

the third-in-command of the king in some towns, the third-in-rank in any group or collective


rara

A type of traditional Yoruba oral poetry and chants, or ewì


lori

Ó wà lórí ibùsùn


opin

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pin (“to terminate”).

af

Ọdún ń lọ sópin.


asun

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sun (“to roast”).

something that is roasted; (in particular) roasted goat meat


imisi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mí (“to breath”) + sí (“to, into”), literally “To breath life into a person”.


aja

Lucumí: ayá

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *a-já, from Proto-Edekiri *á-já, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *á-byá. Cognates include Igala ábíá and Olukumi azá.


aisan

From àì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + sàn (“to be healthy”).


eroja

ingredients, required items for specific use

èròjà oògùn

chemical, ingredients for drug preparation


auta

Ọlásẹ̀ghà òun Ùsìọlá jẹ́ omiye. Ọkọ ghan jẹ́ àútà
Olasegha and Usiola are sisters. Their husbands are co-brother-in-laws

(Ondo) co-brother-in-law, co-brother; (in particular) two men married to women from the same family (sisters or cousins)


joko

(Ekiti) Alternative form of jókòó (“to sit (down)”)


joko

(Owe) Alternative form of jókòó (“to sit (down)”)


erigi

Ẹ ó fọwọ́ pawú, ẹ ọ́ ferìgì jobì

May you use your hand to rub grey hair, may you use your gums to chew kolanut (prayer for long life and old age)


yara

Compare with Baatonum yàara (“courtyard, open space”)

cog

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - yàráview map

OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóìyàràDICTIONARYOwéKabbayàràDICTIONARYNote: 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


saa

From Hausa sāʼā̀, ultimately from Arabic سَاعَة (sāʕa).


sunta

Contraction of sun ìta (“to sleep outside”)


kanka

(of an object, speech, or a person) major; prominent; important; grand

speech; or a person; speech; or a person


iyun

Adéṣiyùn

Yoruba given name meaning "Royalty has made coral beads"

Aríyùnkẹ́

Yoruba given name meaning "We have seen coral beads to cherish"

Iyùnadé

Yoruba given name meaning "Red coral beads of royalty"

Iyùnlọlá

Yoruba given name meaning "Coral beads are honorable

Ọládiyùn

Yoruba given name meaning "Honor has become coral beads

red coral beads, primarily used as jewelry (ìlẹ̀kẹ̀) for royalty, nobility, and priests


tuuba

Alternative form of túḿbá (“to apologize, to show remorse”)


atike

ọmọbìnrín kun àtíkè


kuule

a greeting used when entering a home (usually used in response to káàbọ̀ (“welcome”))


orin

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-lĩ, compare with Igala éli, Ifè orĩ, Urhobo une, Nupe ení, possibly related to Arigidi iʃ̄ĩ̄, ūʃɛ́̃, ùsĩ̄, ùsɛ̄


orin

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-lĩ́, compare with igi (“tree, stick”)

orín àyàn

Distemonanthus benthamianus; type of chewing stick


omi

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-mĩ, from Proto-Edekiri *ó-mĩ, from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-mĩ. Ultimately from Proto-Niger-Congo *-ma or Proto-Niger-Congo *-ni. Cognate with Igbo mmiri, Igala ómi

Kò sóhun tó o lè ṣe kó má lomi o/ Omi ò lọ́tàá o.

There’s nothing you can do without water/ Water doesn’t have enemies.


korona

Clipping of èrànkòrónà or fáírọọsì-kòrónà, ultimately from English corona.

(pathology, virology) COVID-19 (disease and virus)

COVID-19 (disease and virus)
COVID-19 pandemic


sapa

Òbí rẹ̀ ti sapá gidigidi láti pèsè oúnjẹ fún un.

Her parents have tried so hard to provide food for her.

to endeavour; to make an effort; to strive


ajako

From ajá (“dog”) + oko (“farm, wilderness”), literally “wild dog”


narun

From iná (“fire”) + ọ̀run (“the heavens”), literally “fire from the heavens”

(pathology) a type of skin rash mainly caused by onchocerciasis


saba

From Hausa sābā̀ (“to be accustomed to doing something”)


opo

Íńtánẹ́ẹ̀tì jẹ́ òpó kan pàtàkì nínú ìbánisọ̀rọ̀ òde òní.

The internet is an important pillar of modern-day communication.

(figuratively) pillar; backbone; nucleus


dede

Cognate with Itsekiri dede, Ọ̀wọ̀ Yoruba gede, Olukumi gèdè, Èkìtì Yoruba kete, Ìdànrè Yoruba kete, Western Àkókó Yoruba kete

Ọlọ́un á kẹ́ dede ẹni

(Ijebu, Ikalẹ, Ilajẹ, Ondo, Ẹgba) all, everything, everyone

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbogboview map

gúdúgúdúCHESTNUTÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàkpóóCHESTNUTỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́gbogboCHESTNUTOnigbologbogboCHESTNUTKétu/ÀnàgóKétugbogboCHESTNUTIfɛ̀AkpárékpóóCHESTNUTAtakpamɛkpóóCHESTNUTBokokpóóCHESTNUTMoretankpóóCHESTNUTTchettikpóCHESTNUTKuraAwotébibugbóCHESTNUTCHESTNUTPartagogbùgboCHESTNUTCHESTNUTMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiféíCHESTNUTCHESTNUTNorthern NagoKambolegúdúgúdúCHESTNUTCHESTNUTManigrigúdúgúdúCHESTNUTCHESTNUTNote: 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


dede

(Ekiti) Alternative form of dìde (“to stand, get up, rise”)


ilu

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lú (“to intermingle, to mix, to come together”).

affix

(idiomatic, in the plural) chiefs (in their position as representatives of the people of the town)


ilu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lù (“to beat, to hit”), literally “that which is beaten”.

(music) percussion instruments (in particular) drums


Tiyamiyu

Shortened from the phrase ti ìyá mi ló jù (“That of my mother's is the greatest”)


Aina

orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá
orukọ amutọrunwa#Yoruba

a female given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá (“predestined name”), given to girls born with a nuchal cord


A diacritical mark of the Latin script, called àmì ohùn òkè (“high-tone mark”) in Yoruba, and found on Á/á, É/é, Ẹ́/ẹ́, Í/í, Ó/ó, Ọ́/ọ́, Ú/ú, Ń/ń and Ḿ/ḿ. Used to indicate high-tone, or rising-tone when after ◌̀

mí

syllable used to represent the high tone


ṣe

Placed before a sentence to make it a yes-no question.


ṣe

Mi ò fẹ́ ṣe nǹkan kan

Wọ́n máa ń fi igi ṣe ilẹ̀kùn


ṣe

Àìsàn ń ṣe mí

Kí l'ó ń ṣe ọ́?


osun

From o- (“agent prefix”) + sun (“to sprout”), literally “that which sprouts (suddenly)”. Compare with Igala óru. Proposed to be derived Proto-Yoruba *ó-sũ. Also potentially related to Edo itu, Urhobo itu

af

(Oǹdó)


osun

dark red (color/colour), derived from the color of the camwood powder


Samu

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Ọ̀yọ́, a member of the Ọ̀yọ́mèsì. Traditionally, upon the death of the Alaafin, the bearer of this title must commit ritual suicide and is then buried alongside the monarch


iba

Cognate with Igbo iba, Ayere iba, Gade iba, Nupe eba, and Igala íbáà, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-bà


iba

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ba (“to lie in ambush, to hide”)


iba

i- (“non-gerundive nominalizing prefix”) + bá (“to meet, to encounter”)


Nikaragua

Nicaragua (a country in Central America)


taba

Borrowed from Hausa tāba, ultimately from Arabic طُبَّاق (ṭubbāq), see Spanish tabaco, Portuguese tabaco.


ilari

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to separate, divide, part”) + orí (“head”), literally “The one with the parted head”, from the fact that the guards often had hairstyles in which one side of the head was bald, and the other side had hair. The second sense has the same etymology, but comes from the fact that this comb would separate hair


iwure

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wú (“to bring forth, to unearth”) + ire (“goodness, blessings”), literally “The act bringing forth goodness”.


adiro

traditional Yoruba oven or stove and stand


adiro

a type of long Yoruba hat mainly worn by hunters


esi

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-sì, compare with Igala éhì, Itsekiri esin, also see Khana zi, Edo èsì, Urhobo esi, Idoma eshi, Igbo ezì, Ogbia eznì, perhaps also Ibibio edi

warthog, hog; (in particular) red river hog


esi

Compare with Igala échí, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-cí, compare with Itsekiri èṣín

Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbita pepo#Translingual


koo

kóò lị́bẹ̀!


agira

From a- (“agent prefix”) + gírá (“doing something in a quick motion”).


oke

mo gun òkè náà dé orí


suura

From Hausa sūr̃ā̀, ultimately from Arabic صُورَة (ṣūra).


uhin

Possibly related to Ekiti Yoruba òsìlò, ọ̀bẹsìlò

Ó mú ùhìn bẹ uṣu


kuki

Àwọn kúkì jẹ́ àwọn fáìlì àyọkà kékeré lórí kọ̀ǹpútà rẹ èyí tí ń sọ fún wa nígbà tí o bá wọlé.

(Can we date this quote?), “A kò lè gbé ẹ wọlé”, in login.live.com:

Cookies are small text based files on your computer that tell us when you log in.


kaa

Possibly from Baatonum karà (“garden, fence”)


roju

From ro + ojú, literally “to put a reluctant face on”.


roju

From rí (“to see”) + ojú (“face”), literally “see or find the face”.

to see the face; to come face to face with something

(idiomatic) to have time or convenience for something

ilé kò rójú fún wọn

(idiomatic) to be peaceful, to be at ease


sibi

Ọmọ a jó sìbí pèyìn ùdí dà
The one who dances sìbí and turns their back around (oríkì of towns that perform the sìbí dance)

(Ekiti) a traditional dance performed by men, (especially) the Aérégbé festival in honor of several deities such as Ọlụ́a. Men often dress in only skirts while they sing derogatory songs used to meant to criticize authoritative chiefs and evildoers.

Sìbí

the traditional festival in which sìbí is danced


loke

From ní (“at”) + òkè (“top”), literally “at the top”


iya

ìyá ni wúrà iyebíye

A term of respect for an elder or a woman of higher rank or importance.

The biggest entity in a group, the larger tool in a set. For example, in a group of drums, the largest and central drum is the ìyá (known as the ìyáàlú).


gari

A liquid food made with cassava flour and water


gari

→ Krio: gari


yere

Probably from Edo yee (“to remember”), it is being replaced by rántí among younger speakers

Mo ti yèrè sí báyìí!

(chiefly CY and SEY, transitive) to remind


taara

Máa lọ tààrà


Ketu

→ French: Kétou

The Ketu (Benin), a subgroup of the Yoruba people in the country of Benin.

The dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by those people.


sakara

sakara drum, a type of Yoruba drum similar to a tambourine

one of the four drum families among the Yoruba people


A diacritical mark of the Latin script, called àmì ohùn àárín (“middle-tone mark”) in Yoruba, and found on Ā/ā, Ē/ē, Ẹ̄/ẹ̄, Ī/ī, Ō/ō, Ọ̄/ọ̄, Ū/ū, N̄/n̄ and M̄/m̄. Used to indicate middle-tone, omitted on vowels but marked on syllabic nasals to avoid conflation with nasal vowels

re

syllable used to represent the middle tone


ede

Lucumí: ede

Ultimately from Proto-Yoruba *è-dè. While the semantic meaning of language and this specific form is restricted to Proto-Yoruba, the root is widespread across Niger-Congo as roots for "tongue," and thus derives from an older stem. That older stem may be Proto-Yoruboid *-dè. The stem likely originally meant tongue, language, and the general mouth area, but became restricted for language (and also became the term for lip), and replaced ohùn. This is almost certainly a Doublet of ètè. This also explains why the Proto-Yoruboid word for tongue is likely an innovation, see *ʊ́-ɓã́ (“tongue”), see ahọ́n (“tongue”). Compare with Proto-Edoid *U-dhamhɪ, Ibibio edeme, Proto-Bantu *dʊ̀dɪ́mì, Proto-Jukunoid *dema. Many other Yoruba-dialects also have different terms for the language, see eréùn in Ijebu.

èdè rẹ kò tí ì yé mi


Ero

Ero (an Ekiti Yoruba town in Ifedore, Ondo, Nigeria)


oje

lead (chemical element, Pb, atomical number 82)


oje

òjé ni ó ń yọ́ fún wọn


sisi

From English six, compare with Igbo sisì

six pence (sixpence); in modern usage, five kobo


wahala

→ Krio: wahala

→ Nigerian Pidgin: wahala

From Hausa wàhalā̀, from Arabic وَهْلَة (wahla, “fright, terror”).


lenii

Kí l'ẹ ṣe lénìí?


Oluwafunkẹ

From Blend of Olúwa (“God”) + fún (“to give”) + mi (“me”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “God gave me this child to care for”.

blend

a female given name meaning “God gave me to take care of”


palaka

Part of etymology may derive from ẹ̀ka (“branch”)

tree fork, the forked branches of a tree


u-

(CY, SEY) abstract or instrument nominalizing prefix


u-

u- + kú (“to die”) → ukú (“death”)

(CY, SEY) non-gerundive nominalizing prefix


igbọnwọ

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.wɔ́/

From ì- + gbọ̀n + ọwọ́ (“hand”), compare with Olukumi àkpọ́wọ́, possibly related to Edo igbọn (“knee”)


igbọnwọ

ìgbọnwọ́ (canonical)
ìgbọ̀nwọ́ (canonical)

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.wɔ́/

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.wɔ́/


kẹtẹkẹtẹ

head

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

yo-pos

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

yo-noun

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

→ Edo: ekẹtẹkẹtẹ

Possibly borrowed from Baatonum kɛtɛku or, more likely, Nupe kytákytá


ọrun

ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + run (“to originate”), literally “The place of origin”

affix

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) the place of origin for all humans where souls (orí) are created, humans return to their individual ọ̀run after death. It does not represent a specific entity or location, every human has their own origin place.


ọrun

Compare with Igala ọ́dọ, Ayere ɔndɔ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-ɗʊ̃.


ọrun

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọrùnview map

OkunÌbùnúBùnúọ̀fọn圣ÌjùmúÌjùmúọ̀fọn圣ÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóọ̀fọn圣

ɔ̀gùnrùn圣Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ɛ̀kɛ́圣Onigboloɛkɛ圣Kétu/ÀnàgóKétuɛ̀kɛ́圣Ifɛ̀Akpáréɔ̀gɔ̀rɔ̃̀圣Atakpamɛɔ̀gɔ̀rɔ̃̀圣Bokoɔ̀gɔ̃̀rɔ̃̀圣Est-Monoɔ̀gɔ̀rɔ̃̀圣Moretanòɡùrɔ̃̀圣Tchettiɔ̀gɔ̃̀rɔ̃̀圣

ɛkɛ́圣KuraAwotébiegɔ́rɔ̀圣Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandikɔ̃圣Northern NagoKamboleɔgɔ̃圣Manigriɔkɔ̃圣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

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


ọrun

b'ó bá di ọrún òní, kí o padà wá

When it is five days from today, come back here

A space of five days, the fifth day after the current day


titun

Alternative form of tuntun (“to be new”)


ẹsan

ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + san (“to repay, to pay”)


aayan

A tree that is regarded as sacred, it is known for being the tree where the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ Ṣàngó is said to have hanged himself, and later deified


ọdẹ

Possibly from ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dẹ̀ (“to be stupid”)

(offensive, derogatory) stupid person, idiot


ọdẹ

From Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-dɛ, equivalent to ọ- (“agent prefix”) + dẹ (“to hunt”), literally “one who hunts”. Cognate with Igala ọ́dẹ (“hunter”).

Ọdẹ

the spirit of hunting symbolized by the many Yoruba hunting deities

ọlọ́dẹ

the head of the worshippers of the hunting deity Ọ̀ṣọ́sì

ọdẹ t'ó tọ́dẹ níí perin

Only an accomplished hunter can kill an elephant

A prefix for Yoruba given names given to descendants of hunters, (ex. Ọdẹ́gbàmí)


emurẹn

Cognate with Edo imuẹ, Itsekiri imurẹ́n (“mosquito”)


emurẹn

/ē.mũ̄.ɾɛ̃́/


emurẹn

Cognate with Yoruba òmíràn, Oǹdó Yoruba òmúẹ̀n, Ede Idaca òmírìn


oyin

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-ɲĩ, from Proto-Edekiri *o-ɲĩ. Compare with Olukumi oyin, Ifè oyin, Itsekiri oyin, Aja enyi, Fon wiin, Gun owín

Oyinadé

A Yoruba name meaning, "The sweetness of royalty"

Oyínkánsọ́lá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Sweetness has been added to honor"

àwọn oyín ṣí sí ara igi

wọ́n fi ahán lá oyin

ìpàdé e wa bí oyin o


oyin

Irvingia gabonensis
Irvingia gabonensis#Translingual

African mango tree (Irvingia gabonensis), of which the seeds of its fruit are used in soups like ọgbọnọ and ààpọ̀n


eera

Contraction of èrìrà, proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-lɪ̀là or Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-là. Cognates with Igala èlìlà


ọbọnbọn

/ɔ̀.bɔ̃̀.ũ̀.bɔ̃̄.ũ̀/

Non-standard spelling of ọ̀bọ̀n-ùn-bọn-ùn.

Alternative form of ọ̀bọ̀n-ùn-bọn-ùn (“beetle”)


ẹlẹdẹ

→ Hausa: àladḕ

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.dɛ̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dẹ̀ (“to be soft”), literally “one who has soft (meat or skin)”


agunfọn

/à.ɡũ̀.fɔ̃̄/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gùn (“to be long”) + fọn (“to be emaciated; to be slim”), literally “that which is long and slim”. The exact species of the àgùnfọn bird is unclear, as the black-crowned crane (the animal it is often translated to be) likely only occurred in the extreme-northern parts of Yorubaland. Later, the semantic meaning of the term was later extended to giraffe, an animal not traditionally found in Yorubaland because of the matching descriptions with the giraffe.

af

a type of long-necked bird with a crest; black crowned crane

(modern) giraffe (traditionally, giraffes did not live in the range of Yorubaland)


agbako

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbá (“to sway”) + kò (“to encounter, to collide”), literally “that which is swayed to encounter another”.

(literally) that which is swayed to encounter another

(idiomatic) accident, misfortune, mishap


agbo

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbo (“to squeeze”), literally “that which is squeezed”.

herbal remedy; usually squeezed by hand in water and consumed as a liquid


aniyan

From Arabic نِيَّة (niyya), perhaps through Hausa àniyà (“intention, diligence”).

Àníyàn mi ni pé mo máa ṣe é parí

My expectation is that I would finish the task

aspiration, anxiety, concern, desire, hope


ẹyẹ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-wɛ. Cognate with Igala ẹ́wẹ, Olukumi ẹyẹ, Ifè ɛyɛ. Likely related to Edo áwẹ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹyẹview map

ẹlẹ́yẹ

someone who sells birds, someone who owns birds


ẹyẹ

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yẹ (“to befit”).

affix

honor, respect, dignity, a common suffix in many Yoruba names


funfun

From the root verb Proto-Yoruboid *-fũ, seem throughout Volta-Niger languages, Urhobo fuanfo, Edo fua (“to be white”), Ayere enfu, Ibibio fia, Ahwai farak, Blench suggests potentially Proto-Niger-Congo *-fu.

Ara rẹ̀ ti funfun.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - funfunview map

fífún嫼ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹfẹ́n嫼Proto-YorubaNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàfunfun嫼ÈkóÈkófunfun嫼ÌbàdànÌbàdànfunfun嫼ÌlọrinÌlọrinfunfun嫼Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́funfun嫼Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàfunfun嫼Bɛ̀nɛ̀funfun嫼Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréfṹ嫼Atakpamɛfṹ嫼Tchettifṹ嫼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


funfun

Fún mi l'áṣọ funfun.


gbigba

Partial reduplication of gbà (“to take, accept, allow”)


gbigba

Partial reduplication of gbá (“to beat”)


gbogbo

Perhaps related to Ifè kpó, Ede Idaca kpóó, Igala gbáà

Gbogbo ilé yín ńkọ́? Ṣé àlàáfíà ni wọ́n wà?

And everyone at home? Are they doing well?

Bí ohun gbogbo tilẹ̀ yẹ, okùn ọrùn kò yẹ adìẹ.

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, number LDC2008L03, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

Even if all things become fashionable; no one pulls a hen with a rope round its neck. (proverb on what is not acceptable as a norm)

gúdúgúdú嫼ÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàkpóó嫼Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́gbogbo嫼Onigbologbogbo嫼Kétu/ÀnàgóKétugbogbo嫼Ifɛ̀Akpárékpóó嫼Atakpamɛkpóó嫼Bokokpóó嫼Moretankpóó嫼Tchettikpó嫼KuraAwotébibugbó嫼嫼Partagogbùgbo嫼嫼Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandiféí嫼嫼Northern NagoKambolegúdúgúdú嫼嫼Manigrigúdúgúdú嫼嫼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


ikede

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kéde (“to announce, to declare”).


agbanrere

/à.ɡ͡bá.ŋ̀.ɾé.ɾé/

From Contraction of àgbámùréré. Originally referring to the roan antelope and other species large antelope in the savanna of Northern Yorubaland, its definition has now been extended to the rhinoceros in modern usage. Rhinoceroses never live in what is now Yorubaland.

a species of large antelope (in particular) roan antelope

(inexact, modern) rhinoceros (traditionally, rhinoceros did not live in the range of Yorubaland)

(mythology) nickname for a unicorn-like creature


ọya

ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ya (“to tear, to split”)


ọya

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-yà, from Proto-Edekiri *ɔ-yà, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-yà.

Not used by speakers of Ekiti dialect in the southern part of the region

including speakers of the Akure sub-dialect


ọpọlọ

/ɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.lɔ́/

Possibly related to Ogbah ẹkpọ̀-ụlọ, Abure klɔ̀pɔ́kɔ́, words with a kVrV formula are widespread in Africa


ọpọlọ

/ɔ̄.k͡pɔ̄.lɔ̄/


ikoko

pot, multipurpose pot traditionally made of clay.


ologbo

→ Edo: ólógbò

→ Igbo: ònogbò

Likely related to ògbo (“a species of wild cat”)


ẹṣin

→ Edo: ẹsin

Borrowed from Arabic حِصَان (ḥiṣān), see Olukumi ẹsi


kọlọkọlọ

head

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

yo-pos

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

yo-noun

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

While this is translated as fox, it likely refers to a genet or civet-like animal. See Ifè kɔ̀lɔ̀kɔ̀lɔ̀ (“genet”)

cog

kɔ̀lɔ̀kɔ̀lɔ̀


kọlọkọlọ

Ọ̀nà tó lọ sí orí òkè ṣe kọ́lọkọ̀lọ

The road that goes to the mountain peak is windy

(of a path, road, line etc.) zigzag; meandering; circuitous; helical


pẹpẹyẹ

Baatonum: kpákpáyẹ

Compare with Itsekiri kpákpáyẹkẹ, Olukumi kpẹ́kpẹ́yẹ, Urhobo ikpukpuyẹkẹ, Edo ekpákpáyẹ, Ebira upẹpẹyẹ, The origin of the term is not clear, while it has cognates with Itsekiri and Olukumi, its existence in Baatonum and Edo could suggest that it is a borrowing from Edo?

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - pẹ́pẹ́yẹview map


awodi

From àwò + idì, compare with idì (“eagle”), compare with Igala újì and Edo éghòdìn


adaba

→ Nupe: dàbà


gunugun

From Proto-Yoruboid *úgwṵ́nú, cognates include Igala úgwúnú and possible cognates include Nupe gùlǔ and Hausa ùngùlu.


ologoṣẹ

/ō.ló.ɡō.ʃɛ́/


kannakanna

Possibly related to Nupe kwankwa, ultimately Onomatopoeic


owiwi

→ Krio: owiwi

Possibly from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wìwí (“ideophone likely representing silent flight or feathers of the owl”). Compare with Igala ògwùgwù, Igbo ikwikwii, Ebira ogugu


akẹ

ọmọ àkẹ̀

someone who is stubborn (in comparison to a goat)


akẹ

seagull, specifically the Grey-headed gull


odidẹrẹ

/ō.dí.dɛ̄.ɾɛ́/

Psittacus erithacus
Psittacus erithacus#Translingual

parrot; (in particular) African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus)


aparo

Pternistis bicalcaratus
Pternistis bicalcaratus#Translingual

partridge; (in particular) double-spurred spurfowl (Pternistis bicalcaratus)


ekute

àìsínílé-ológìnní, ilé di ilé èkúté

when the cat is out of sight, then the house-rat can take over the house (proverb against taking advantage of somebody)

A general name for rodents found in the house as opposed to the wild, including the asín and ọ̀fọ́n-ọ̀n


ẹliri

a very small bush rat; (in particular) African pygmy mouse


ọbọ

a plant used to ritually catch a witch, Erythrophleum suaveolens or Erythrophleum Ivoriensis


ọbọ

Ọ̀bọ mẹ́tàléláàádóje (133) ni ó wà nínú ọgbà ẹranko yìí.

Kò sí ohun tí ìnàkí fi ṣe orí tí ọ̀bọ kò fi ṣe orí.

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting C. L. Adéoyè, Àṣà àti Ìṣe Yoruba, number LDC2008L03, 1979, Ibadan: Oxford University Press, page 274, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

A baboon or chimpanzee's head is not different from a monkey's head. (proverb on equality)

Ọ̀bọ ni wọ́n.

Ọlọ́run nìkan ṣoṣo l'ó gbọ́n, ọ̀bọ lènìyàn.

It is only God who is wise, a human creature is a fool. (proverb on divine wisdom)


oṣu

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-cù , cognate with Igala óchù, possibly equivalent to o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣù (“to be round”)


ibaaka

canary, specifically the Yellow-fronted canary


agbọnrin

/à.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.ɾĩ́/

Tragelaphus scriptus
Tragelaphus scriptus#Translingual

bushbuck, (in particular) harnessed bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), it is frequently mistranslated as deer


inaki

A large ape or monkey of any species, including a gorilla, baboon, or chimpanzee


ọṣa

Compare with Edo ọsa (“great ape, chimpanzee”)


kiniun

Compare with Ifè kìnìwú. It is not related to almost any Volta-Niger roots for lion, and cognates do not exist in other Proto-Edekiri or Proto-Yoruba descended languages spoken east of the Yoruba homeland, such as Itsekiri, Olukumi, or Igala. Its relation to Fon kinikíní, Gun kinnikinni, Aja kinnikinni, as well as the significance of the "lion" in the cultures of Gbe-speaking peoples, but a lack of significance of the lion in Yorubaland (compared to the leopard) because of its absence in the tropical forests of most of Yorubaland (words for "lion" do not exist in many Niger-delta languages, as well as in Ayere or Ukaan), may explain why a native root did not persist. Thus, perhaps this comes from any of the various Gbe-roots, which was then borrowed and spread east across the forest among Yoruba-dialects, and then ending at the savanna (where native or locally derived terms for lion would exist).
See Proto-Yoruba *kɪ̃̀nɪ̃̀wṹ, while this term is shared between many Yoruba dialects, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Yoruboid because of linguistic considerations.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - kìnìúnview map

dzàntáBEGINNERNote: 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


amọtẹkun

/à.mɔ̃̀.tɛ́.kũ̀/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + tó (“that”) + tó (“is equal to, similar to”) + ẹkùn (“leopard”), literally “The one that we know that is similar to a leopard”.


tolotolo

From Hausa tàlotàlo, possible cognates include Igala òtòótólo, Igbo toro toro, Nupe tòlótòló, Itsekiri tolotolo, and Edo etolotolo.


ewurẹ

Possibly derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɛ-wʊ́rɛ́, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *é-ɓó, likely derived from a Proto-Volta-Niger root, cognate with Igbo éwú, Ebira evu, Urhobo ẹvwé, Idoma ewu, Igala éwó, Edo ẹwe, Ukaan ẹ̀wị́, Yekhee eghuẹ, Ayere éwó, and possibly cognate with Akpes ɛ̀bi, Akpes ɛbují, Akpes ɛbʊ. A possible wider distribution may exist, see Benue-Congo languages Ibibio ebot, Proto-Plateau *-buon (2a), Proto-Plateau *ì-bu (2b), and Proto-Plateau *-bwal (3), and maybe even Baatonum boo.


agutan

Lucumí: agutá

Cognate with Ifè àgùɖã̀, Igala àgwùtọ̀, Itsekiri àgùtàn, Olukumi àgùntàn. Compare Igbo atụlū and possibly Edo óhuán. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *à-gʊ̀tã̀, from Proto-Edekiri *à-gʊ̀tã̀, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *à-gʷʊ̀tã̀

ọ̀dọ́ àgùtàn

abo àgùtàn

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àgùtànview map

àgùntànBEGINNERNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaàbùtọ̀nBEGINNEREde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácààgùtànBEGINNERIfɛ̀Akpáréàgùɖã̀BEGINNERAtakpamɛàgùɖã̀BEGINNEREst-Monoàgùɖã̀BEGINNERTchettiàgùɖã̀BEGINNERNote: 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


ẹfọn

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-fã̀, cognate with Igala ẹ́fà, Olukumi ẹfàn, and Edo ẹhan, equivalent to *ɛ́- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *fã̀. Perhaps it is related to Igbo efi (“cow”)


ẹfọn

From Etymology 3; named so because of the similarity of the shape of a rib and the back of a palm frond.


ẹfọn

ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fọ́n (“to sprinkle”)


ọni

Cognate with Igala ọ̀nyẹ̀, Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-nɪ̃̀

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀nìview map

crocodile, specifically the Nile crocodile.


ọni

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ-nɪ̃

ikà à fẹ́ k'á rerù k'à sọ̀, orí ọni ní í sọni

The wicked does not wish that we fully discharge our obligbations, only the spirit of one's head can make that possible (proverb on the ill-intention of man)

(Ijebu, Ào, Owe) person, human being, one

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹniview map

ẹnẹBEGINNERÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹọnẹBEGINNERProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìọnịBEGINNERÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́ọnịBEGINNERMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìọnịBEGINNERWestern ÀkókóỌ̀gbàgì ÀkókóọniBEGINNERNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàẹniBEGINNERẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaẹniBEGINNERÈkóÈkóẹniBEGINNERÌbàdànÌbàdànẹniBEGINNERÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràẹniBEGINNERÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboẹniBEGINNERÌlọrinÌlọrinẹniBEGINNEROǹkóÒtùẹniBEGINNERÌwéré IléẹniBEGINNERÒkèhòẹniBEGINNERÌsẹ́yìnẹniBEGINNERṢakíẹniBEGINNERTedéẹniBEGINNERÌgbẹ́tìẹniBEGINNERỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ẹniBEGINNERStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàẹniBEGINNERBɛ̀nɛ̀ɛniBEGINNERNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaọniBEGINNEREde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔniBEGINNERIfɛ̀AkpáréɛnɛBEGINNERAtakpamɛɛnɛBEGINNERTchettiɛnɛBEGINNERKuraAledjo-KouraɛniBEGINNERBEGINNERAwotébiɛniBEGINNERBEGINNERPartagoɛniBEGINNERBEGINNERNote: 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


ọkun

Cognate with Igala ọ̀kọ̀. Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-kʊ̃̀, compare with Nupe èkwã̀


ibakasiẹ

ìbakasíẹ (canonical)
ìbákasíẹ (canonical)


alantakun

From oní- (“one who has”) + à (“nominalizing prefix”) + ǹ + ta (“to weave”) + okùn (“string”), literally “One who weaves with string”.


akọ

→ Portuguese: ocó

Likely a Doublet of ọkọ, proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kɔ.

ọmọ́ ṣe akọ

ọ̀rọ̀ọ́ yakọ

a tough or difficult situation, behavior

akọ àrùn gbọ̀fungbọ̀fun


alabasta

Nigbati o sì wà ni Betani ni ile Simon ade̩tè̩, bi o ti joo̩o tì onje̩, obiri kan ti o ni èba (oruba) alabasta turari tutù iyebiye pò̩, o wá, o sì fó̩ èba na, o sì ndà a si i lori.

1879, “Ihin-rere Marku 14. 1.”, in Samuel Adjai Crowther, transl., Iwe Adura Yoruba, ati ti Is̩e̩-irans̩e̩ ti o sì ni Ilana mĩ ati Isìn-ilana, pe̩lu awo̩n Psalmu ti Dafidi, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, page 86:

Archaic spelling of alabásítà (“alabaster”).


ọkẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.kɛ́.ɾɛ́/

ọ̀- + kẹ́rẹ́


tobi

skirt; female undergarment worn under an ìró

cloth band or belt tied around the waist to hold money


ejo

From Proto-Yoruba *e-jò, Proto-Edekiri *e-jò. Cognate with Igala éjò, ultimately proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *é-jò, compare with Doublet of òjòlá. See synonym *o-kũ̀ a-lɛ̀

ejò àgbàfúùfúù

boa constrictor, a species of tree snake


ejo

è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jó (“to burn”)

affix

bacon, meat that has been cooked to almost burnt


agogo

→ Baatonum: agogo

→ Hausa: àgōgo

→ Edo: ẹgogo

→ Portuguese: agogô

→ English: agogo

→ Japanese: アゴゴ (agogo)

→ Russian: агого (agogo)

→ Spanish: agogó

→ Mandarin: 阿哥哥 (āgēgē)


agogo

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gógó (“an ideophone describing something that is sharp and pointed”).


agogo

a type of hairstyle worn by priestesses of the orisha; (in particular) worn by ọlọ́ṣun, ọlọ́ya, ìyálórìṣà and oníyemọja priestesses


adun

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dùn (“to be sweet”).


adura

Etymology tree
Arabic اَلْدُعَاء (al-duʕāʔ)bor.
Hausa àddu'ā̀bor.
Yoruba adura
From Hausa àddu'ā̀, from Arabic اَلدُّعَاء (ad-duʕāʔ). Cognate with Nupe àdúwa.

der

Arabic اَلدُّعَاء (ad-duʕāʔ)


suuru

→ Fon: suúlù

Possibly from Baatonum suuru (“patience”) or a Songhay language, compare with Dagbani suhu (“heart, emotion, conscience”), and Farefare sũure (“heart, conscience”)


iroko

→ Hausa: loko

→ Nupe: ròókò

→ Edo: uloko

→ English: iroko

→ Japanese: イロコ

Milicia excelsa
Milicia excelsa#Translingual

iroko, African teak, Nigerian teak, rock elm (Milicia excelsa syn. Chlorophora excelsa); regarded as a sacred tree by the Yoruba people.

Ìrókò

The spirit believed to reside in iroko trees

ó ti gbàgbé pé olúwere kìí pa ẹni lóòjọ́


kanga

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - kàngaview map

kànǹgaABSISNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbagbògaABSISEde Languages/Southwest YorubaỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèKétu/ÀnàgóÌmẹ̀kọkàngaABSISKétukàngaABSISIfɛ̀AkpárékàgaABSISAtakpamɛkàgaABSISTchettikàgaABSISNote: 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


agba

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe làgbà

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the most senior institution of the Yoruba


agba

(geometry) cylinder, a term for an object or entity that is cylindrical in shape

a type of Yoruba drum in the gbẹ̀du family of drums, historically played by members of the senior religious and political group, the Ògbóni


agba

the plants Alafia multiflora and Landolphia togolana


agba

the plants Entada gigas and Motandra paniculata (syn. Motandra guineensis, which are primarily used to make ropes


agba

a type of drum played by the Ìlàjẹ and Ìkálẹ̀ people


dawati

From di (“to become”) + àwátì (“something that is searched for unsuccessfully”).


momi

From contraction of mu (“to drink”) omi (“water”).


Abia

From English Abia, ultimately from an acronym of four most populated towns in the state at its creation, Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo.

A state of Nigeria in the South East geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Aba.

Aba, Nigeria
Afikpo
Bende, Nigeria
Isuikwuato


arere

Triplochiton scleroxylon
Triplochiton scleroxylon#Translingual

obeche, ayous, wawa, African maple, African whitewood (Triplochiton scleroxylon); its wood is whitish yellow and easy to process.


koroba

From Edo ikoroba, likely ultimately from Portuguese caçamba


obo

From Proto-Yoruboid *ò-bò, perhaps from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bò (“to cover”), literally “That which covers”, which is said to come from a verb referring to a woman's sexual position during sex. Cognate with Igala òbù. Compare with abo (“female”)


fitina

From Hausa fìtinā̀, ultimately from Arabic فِتْنَة (fitna).

fìtínà ńlá dé bá wọn lórí ọ̀rọ̀ ilẹ̀

They encountered serious trouble over the land dispute


fitina

ó fìtínà ẹ̀míi wa


baibai

Ojú mi ń ṣe bàìbàì.


laini

From ní (“to have”) + àì- (“negative prefix”) + ní (“to have”), literally “without having”


haramu

From Hausa hàr̃âm, ultimately from Arabic حَرَام (ḥarām).


uji

(Ekiti) The plant Chassalia magnificens, of genus Chassalia


wakati

From Arabic وَقْت (waqt, “time”), perhaps through Hausa wōkàcī.


-ki-

Compare with Arigidi -kí-, Ede Idaca -kú-

ọmọ (“child”) → ọmọkọ́mọ (“any child, bad child”)

fìlà (“hat”) → fìlàkífìlà (“any hat”)

ẹni (“one, person”) → ẹnikẹ́ni (“anyone”)

ewé (“leaf”) → ewékéwé (“any leaf; bad leaf”)

adds the meaning "any" to a noun when inserted into the reduplicated form (sometimes used pejoratively to mean "bad")


eyi

Èyí ni mo fẹ́ rà

Àǹtí mi ni èyí


amala

→ English: amala

→ Nigerian Pidgin: amala

→ Portuguese: amalá

amala (thick paste made from yam or cassava flour)


Ẹ

The fifth letter of the Yoruba alphabet, called ẹ́ and written in the Latin script.


ẹ

The name of the Latin-script letter Ẹ/ẹ.


ẹ

you (second-person plural or honorific personal pronoun)


ẹ

[preceding vowel repeated for monosyllabic verbs]

(proscribed) Alternative form of ẹ (“you”) (used primarily with the conjunction bá or the progressive particle ń)


ẹ

you (second-person singular non-honorific object pronoun following a high-tone monosyllabic verb)

Alternative form of rẹ (second-person singular non-honorific object pronoun following a complex verb)


ẹ

you (second-person singular non-honorific object pronoun following a low- or mid-tone monosyllabic verb)


ẹ

Alternative form of rẹ (second-person singular non-honorific possessive pronoun)


ẹ

him, her, it (third-person singular object pronoun following a monosyllabic verb with a high-tone /ɛ/)


ẹ

him, her, it (third-person singular object pronoun following a monosyllabic verb with a low- or mid-tone /ɛ/)


ẹ

Alternative form of rẹ̀ (third-person singular object pronoun following a complex verb)


ẹ

Alternative form of rẹ̀ (third-person singular possessive pronoun)


Ọ

The seventeenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet, called ọ́ and written in the Latin script.


ọ

The name of the Latin-script letter Ọ/ọ.


ọ

him, her, it (third-person singular non-honorific object pronoun following a monosyllabic verb with a high-tone /ɔ/)


ọ

him, her, it (third-person singular non-honorific object pronoun following a monosyllabic verb with a low- or mid-tone /ɔ/)


Ṣ

The twenty-first letter of the Yoruba alphabet, called ṣí and written in the Latin script.


buba

Likely from a Songhay language, compare Baoule bui (“bark (skin)”), Kongo búuba (“outfit; small piece of cloth worn by a woman”), Mandinka bubá (“blouse”), Wolof buba (“garments”), Sranan Tongo buba (“skin”), possibly ultimately from Proto-Niger-Congo *-kwuba (“skin (bark, husk)”).

inh

(fashion) blouse or outer garment worn by women

(fashion) top or outer garment worn by men

(fashion) inner garment worn by men typically under an agbada


sukua

(geometry) square (polygon with four equal sides and four right angles)

(mathematics) square (product of a number multiplied by itself)


roboto

Ewé yẹn rí roboto.


oge

obìnrin yìí fẹ́ràn oge púpọ̀

fashion, style, beautification, ostentation

ṣókí ni ọbẹ̀ oge

The stew of a fashionista is always to the right quality


oge

Perhaps from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ké (“to call, cry, chirp”)

af

a type of bird; (in particular) the Egyptian plover or the African pied wagtail


ileri

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lérí (“to promise”)


ija

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”)


ijo

From i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jó (“to dance”). Compare with Olukumi úzó,Igala ídó. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ú-jó, *í-jó from Proto-Edekiri *ú-jó, *í-jó.


iju

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ju (“to be worm infested”), see Doublet of ojuju and ojiju

(literally) loss of texture due to a worm attack


bọ

àkókó ń bọ̀ tí a kò níí jẹun mọ́

The time is coming when we shall no longer eat

(intransitive) to return, to come here, to arrive


bọ

ó bọ ẹran


bọ

ó bọ ṣòkòtò rẹ̀


bọ

(transitive, intransitive) to sacrifice, to give an offering or sacrifice


bọ

(intransitive) to fall, to drop, to slip off

ẹ̀míi rẹ̀ẹ́ bọ́

(euphemistic) to lose one's life, to die


bọ

Wọ́n ti bọlé yẹn tán


họ

wọ́n ń họ ọmọ kòkó

They were scooping out the seeds of the cocoa pod

(Igbomina, transitive, intransitive) Alternative form of wọ̀ (“to gouge or scoop out of something”)


họ

(transitive) to scratch or itch (a body) with the hand or finger


labari

From Hausa lā̀bār̃ī̀, from Arabic اَلْخَبَر (al-ḵabar).


gọn

Cognates with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba go, Yoruba ga


ipari

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + parí (“to terminate, end”).

Ìparí sáà yìí ti dé.


dide

Dìde, ká lè rí ojú ẹ


apere

Déjì ti Àkúrẹ́ tó wa lórí àpèrè l'Ọba Ọ̀dúndún Ẹlẹ́kéjì

The Deji of Akure that is currently on the throne is Odundun II


nitori

/nĩ́.ꜜtō.ɾí/

From ní + ìtorí, ultimately from ní (“on, at”) + ti (“of”) + orí (“head, reason”)


Kori

From Clipping of Kórìkóto, ultimately from kórìkóto (“A type of toy or shrine used by children”), compare with kóórì.

Ìbá má sìí èwe, Kórì a kú

If there were not young children, Kori would have died

A female orisha of fertility and childbirth, she is regarded as a protector and orisha of specifically young children, and is mainly worshipped by the people of Ọ̀yọ́


uza

From Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-cà, ultimately from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-cà.

(Ào) Alternative form of ùṣà (“a type of clay pot”)


esuro

Compare with Ifè èsíwó, perhaps to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *è-síwó

The red-flanked duiker, Cephalophus rufilatus


ofi

ìyá ta aṣọ sí òfì

The woman set up the threads on a loom for weaving


ofu

pelican, specifically the Great white pelican and Pink-backed pelican


Ao

A Yoruba dialect spoken by some members of the Àkókó subethnic group, consisting of several subdialects including Amùsìgbó, (spoken by the people of Ìdóàní). It is also spoken by the Àfò, Ìpèsì, Ikún, Imerì, Ìdógún, and Ìfira towns in Ondo State.


roro

Compare with Olukumi rírò, Itsekiri oro likely a partial reduplication of a root rò (“to be bitter”). Compare with Igala ìlò (“bitter leaf”)

(Ekiti, Owe, Eastern Akoko) to be bitter


alapa

From oní (“the one/thing that has”) + apá (“arm”)


diacritical mark
diacritical mark#English

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè
ami ohun ẹlẹyọọroke#Yoruba

(obsolete) A diacritical mark of the Latin script, called àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́ròkè (“rising-tone mark”). Formerly used to indicate rising-tone, now written as ◌̀ followed by ◌́


sinu

Contraction of sí inú (“towards the inside”).

contraction

Bá mi kódọ̀tí sínú apẹ̀rẹ̀.

Ta ló jù ú sínú odò?


uku

u- (“non-gerundive nominalizer”) + kú (“to die”)


uku

u- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kù (“to grumble”)

(Ikalẹ, Ijebu, Ekiti, Usẹn) Ìkálẹ̀ and Ìjẹ̀bú form of ikùn (“stomach”)


olori

the official designated wife of a monarch; usually the most senior wife of a king; queen consort

Olorì

title for the most senior wife of a king


nita

Contraction of ní ìta (“on the outside”).

contraction

Àwọn ọmọdé máa ń ṣeré bojúbojú níta.

The children tend to play hide and seek outside.

Abúlé mi wà níta ìlú Ìlọrin.

Kó o gbálẹ̀ níta àti nínú ilé.


ebibo

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bíbó (“partial reduplication of bó to peel”).


airi

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


eku

Compare with Olukumi eku, Igala ìkélékwu


Alaafin

→ Portuguese: alafim

→ English: Alaafin

From oní- (“one who, owner”) + ààfin (“palace”), literally “Owner of the palace”.

The monarch of Oyo, and historically of the Oyo Empire.


gangan

(music) A common type of talking drum and a subfamily of drums in the dùndún family of drums


sunami

Borrowed from English tsunami, from Japanese 津波 (tsunami).

Mo kíyè sí i pé bí òkun ṣe ń bì yìí ò dáa. Ó dájú pé àjálù sùnámì ló ń bọ̀ yìí.

2008, “Àjálù Ṣẹlẹ̀ ní Erékùṣù Solomon Islands”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

I noticed that the sea was moving abnormally. A tsunami was clearly on its way.


aniani

/à.nĩ́.ã̀.nĩ́/


ororo

vegetable oil; (in particular) peanut oil


ororo

(Ikalẹ) Alternative form of òǹrorò (“sadist; harsh person; cruel person”)


Ọrunmila

English: Orunmila

/ɔ̀.ɾṹ.mĩ̀.là/

From ọ̀run (“heaven”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìlà (“salvation”), literally “Only knows heaven who reach salvation”.

compound

a semi-legendary figure who is identified as being a priest, scholar, and philosopher in ancient Yoruba society, and may have developed from several wisemen figures throughout ancient history who aided in the spread and development of the Ifá oracle.

Ọrunmila, the primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) and orisha of wisdom and divination. He is regarded as the custodian of the Ifá oracle.


sanma

From Hausa samà, ultimately from Arabic سَمَاء (samāʔ), cognate with Nupe sã́mã̀.


ogio

(Ondo, Idanre) turning stick used to prepare foods like ẹ̀bà and àmàlà, similar to a spatula


oji

wọ́n ta ọkùnrin náà lójì

They imposed a fine for having adultery on the man

(historical, obsolete) a fine paid by a man who has an affair with a married woman

ìtalójì

the act of imposing a fine on a man for committing adultery with a married woman


buluu

Inu ile kan ti a kun ni awo omi buluu ni idile naa n gbe, a bukun fun won pelu oko-ayo kele meji, ati ise to joju.

2007, Caroline Bola Oyewole, Iyawo osingin sonu: e gba wa o!, page 2:

A family lives in a house painted blue, they are blessed with two ayo fields and a good job.


udi

Kí ùdí ẹ̀? ― What's the reason? (Oǹdó)


itan

→ Gun: itàn

→ Fon: itàn, tàn

Possible cognates include Nupe ètàn, Fon itàn, Igala ìtà, and Edo ìtàn


itan

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tan (“to relate, to be family”)


onka

From òǹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kà (“to count”).


Ibadan

From ẹ̀bá (“edge, aside”) + ọ̀dàn (“grassland, savannah”), literally “At the edge of the grassland”.

compound

Ibadan (a city, the state capital of Oyo State, Nigeria)

A dialect of Yoruba spoken by the people of Ìbàdàn


Kano

Kano (a city, the state capital of Kano State, Nigeria).

Kano Emirate (a historical emirate in Nigeria)


magun

From má (“do not”) + gùn (“to mount”), literally “Do not mount (her)”

a supernatural charm placed on a woman by her husband (or for a young girl, by her parents), to prevent her from being raped and dissaude adultery.


awo

Awódìran

Yoruba name, meaning "Ifa worship has become hereditary"

(by extension) babalawo, a priest of Ifa or the divinity Ọ̀rúnmìlà

(by extension) a respected or elder member of a guild or society of artists


afara

→ English: afara


barika

From Hausa bar̃kā̀, ultimately from Arabic بَرَكَة (baraka). Doublet of àlùbáríkà.

báríkà ẹsẹ̀ tí ó tẹlẹ̀!

Congratulations for the feet that have stepped on the ground (A greeting for someone who has survived a sickness)

(idiomatic) blessings!, bless you!, used after someone sneezes


oposo

Likely from Edo, see Itsekiri okposo (“old woman”), Yekhee okposo (“woman, female”)


kankere

Mo ti kankéré ikùn mi láàárọ̀ yìí

I have filled my stomach with heavy concrete this morning

(humorous, informal) to eat heavy food until full (in particular) for builders eating beans and garri


luko

(sometimes offensive, derogatory) to be primitive, to be dim-witted

oluko

primitive person; unsophisticated person


iwo

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ì-ɣo. Cognate with Edo ìgho, Urhobo ighóró, Olukumi óghó


aanu

Likely from Contraction of ànínú, ultimately from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + nínú (“partial reduplication of nú”)

af

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àánúview map


jiyan

From jà (“to fight”) + iyàn (“argument”).


jiyan

From contraction of jẹ (“to eat”) iyán (“pounded yam”).


eti

Cognate with Igala étí and Igbo ntị̀, from Proto-Yoruba *é-tĩ́, from Proto-Edekiri *é-tĩ́, ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-tĩ́, see there for a more detailed analysis.


oriṣa

Portuguese: orixá

Spanish: orisha

French: oricha

Haitian Creole: Olicha

English: orisha

Japanese: オリシャ (orisha)

Russian: ориша (oriša)

From Òrìṣà. The precise etymology of the term is unknown, (possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *Ò-rìsà, Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-rɪ̀cà, or Proto-Yoruboid *Ò-rìcà), but several folk etymologies exist, the main one suggesting it comes from orí (“head, conscience, destiny”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣà (“to be selected, to choose”), literally “The head that is specially selected”. (This is unlikely though as this term only fits the Yoruba definition of òrìṣà, but not the cognate versions in other languages or even in other Yoruba dialects).
The term òrìṣà, which is a general name for all deities in the Yoruba religion, likely derived from the proper noun form Òrìṣà, in reference to a specific arch-divinity of the sky and creation (now known as Òrìṣàńlá and Ọbàtálá). In other related languages, and some dialects of the Yoruba language, the cognate term has retained its proper noun definition, referring to a specific high-ranking male divinity associated with the sky, creation, and government. These cognates include Itsekiri Òrìtsẹ̀, Igbo Òlìsà, Urhobo Oyise, Èkìtì Yoruba Ọ̀rị̀ṣà, Edo Osa, Oisa, Ebira Oricha, and Fon Lisà

compound

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, religion) orisha (deity in Yoruba religion)


Ogun

→ Portuguese: Ogum

From ògún (“spirit or energy one has after hunting or battling”), ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ò-gwṹ, equivalent ò- + gún.
* The concept of Ogun as the embodiment of iron and hunting likely dates to the Iron Age and is thus present in most religious/spiritual practices of Volta-Niger and Benue-Congo speaking peoples. Two groups of cognates exist. The first ones are those in which this spirit is personified as a deity and becoming a proper noun, see Edo Ogun and Fon Gu. However, other cognates maintain the noun form of this word as simply the energy or spirit associated with killing, see Igala ògwú (“killer instinct”), Idoma ògwú (“honor given to a successful hunter or warrior; display of behavior when someone has killed a large animal”), or possibly Igbo òdogwu (“mighty hunter”). The root term *gwṹ could be cognate with Volta-Niger language terms for "kill," see Igbo ògbú (“killer”) or perhaps nwụ (“to kill”), Proto-Edoid *ghu, Nupe wu, Ibibio woot, Akan wu, Kamo yu. This is likely especially since Igala égwú means "corpse," and the term also greatly resembles the verb to die in Yorùbá, kú.
Likely a Doublet of Egúngún, referring to deified ancestors and veneration of the dead, see Proto-Yoruboid *É-gwṹ.

cog

Kò sí òrìṣà tí yóò ṣe bí Ògún lágbẹ̀dẹ

There is no òrìṣà that will perform like Ògún in a smithy

Ogun (orisha of war, iron, metallurgy, and technology), patron of warriors, hunters, blacksmiths, and ironworkers.

Ògún-pípè

A song or chant performed during the worship of Ògún, similar to an ìjálá

Ògúnbíyí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún gave birth to this child"

Ògúndáyìísí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has spared this child"

Ògúndélé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has arrived into the home"

Ògúndépò

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has reached a high rank"

Ògúndípẹ̀

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has compensated"

Ògúngbẹ̀san

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún took his revenge"

Ògúngbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún favored/saved me"

Ògúnlẹ́yẹ

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has honor/dignity"

Ògúnmẹ́fun

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún chose purity"

Ògúnmọ́dẹdé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has brought along one who will be a hunter"

Ògúnmọ́lá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has chosen honor"

Ògúnmákin

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has chosen the brave one"

Ògúnníyì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has dignity"

Ògúnsányà

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún paid the price for my suffering"

Ògúntáyọ̀

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún is worthy of joy"

Ògúntóyè

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún is worthy of honor," "Ògún is worthy of a chieftancy"

Ògúnwálé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has come home"

Ògúnyọ̀ládé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún rejoices in royalty"

Ògúnyín̄ká

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún surrounds me"

Ògúǹdé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún walked here"

(by extension) August, the third month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá; named in honor of Ògún. Many Ògún festivals are held during this month.


Ogun

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gùn (“to be long”), literally “That which is long”.


Kaduna

From English Kaduna, ultimately from an obsolete plural of Hausa kadā (“crocodile”)

Kaduna (a town, the state capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria)


adele

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dèlé (“to guard the home”), literally “One who guards the home (until the rightful owner comes)”.

af

a regent; (specifically) a female regent (usually the eldest daughter of the deceased monarch) who reigns on the throne until the kingmakers (Afọbajẹ) crown another king.


pade

From pa (“to do; action verb”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dé (“to arrive”)


igbo

ó sẹ̀ mí ní ìgbò ní àyà


igbo

A large headed bird, identified as a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae


igbo

Alternative form of agbo (“circle, group”)


igbo

Probably from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-gbó. Cognate with Urhobo égbó, Edo ẹgbo, Igbo ugbō

àwọn ọdẹ ń dẹ igbó


igbo

wọ́n ń mu igbó

Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa#Translingual

a general term for recreational drugs (in particular) Indian hemp, marijuana, and Cannabis sativa


otu

(historical) the central or capital city of a kingdom


eni

Òní lẹ̀gbọ́n ọ̀la, ìrì wọ̀wọ̀ọ́ ṣẹ̀gbọ́n òjò; ibi ènì l'à á pa ọmọ-alákàràá sí.

Today is the older sibling to tomorrow, just as heavy dews are the older siblings to the rain; the child seller of fried bean cake gets killed on the issue of a bonus (proverb on degrees and consequences))

elénì

the one that involves a bonus after a purchase


eni

Èní ni ọjọ́-ọjà


eni

Proposed to be from Proto-Yoruboid *ínḭ́. Likely cognates with Igala ényẹ́ and Ifè ɛnɛ́.

Ení, èjì, ẹ̀ta, ẹ̀rin, àrún…

Ení bí ení; èjì bí èjì; ẹ̀ta ǹ tagbá; ẹ̀rin wọ̀rọ̀kọ́; àrún ń gódó; ẹ̀fà ti èlè; bí ó ròó, bí ó ròó, èróo bàtá; mo já kẹ́sàn-án; gbangba lẹ̀wá

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting C. L. Adeoye, Àṣà àti Ìṣe Yoruba Ibadan, number LDC2008L03, 1979, page 56, Oxford University Press, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

One is like one; two is like two; three is like shooting at a calabash; four is like the twisted; five is like pounding a mortar; six is that of ability; as if it will sound a sound as if it will sound a sound; I plucked the ninth; ten is right in the open (lyric for teaching enumeration)


agbada

→ Baatonum: agbada

→ English: agbada

→ Portuguese: abadá

→ Fon: agbáɖá

agbada (robe worn by men in West Africa)


ڠ

The eighth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in ajami script, equivalent to Latin script gb.


ewi

ó ké ewì lágbo

The Yoruba art of oral poetry and chanting for religious or entertainment purposes


odu

cauldron, large clay pot, usually used for rituals or sacrifices

(idiomatic, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) source, origin, (in particular) source of creation


odu

Several etymologies, especially those relating to the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe religion, link the definition of Etymology 1 as the etymology of this definition.

ojú odù

the 16 most important signs of Ifa divination

Òdù Ifá

the corpus of the Iṣẹṣe religion of the Yoruba

a sign of the Ifa divination system; of which there are 256

ojú odù

principal signs of the Ifa divination system

the secret power of Ifá which a babalawo is said to possess.


odu

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dú (“to be dark”), literally “that which is dark”
*This may refer to the dark black berries the plant produces

af

the plant American black nightshade, its leaves are commonly used in soups and stews.

(idiomatic) someone who is well known in a society


apari

From a- (“agent prefix”) + párí (“to be bald”).


dudu

From dídú, partial reduplication of dú (“to be black or dark”).

ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ dúdú

Ẹyẹ dúdú yẹn rẹwà


dudu

Aṣọ wo lẹ fẹ́ rà? Dúdú ni mo fẹ́.

Which textile do you want to buy? I want the black one.

something that is black or dark in colour


dudu

Ẹyẹ yẹn dúdú

Ó ti dúdú sí i nítorí oòrùn tó pa á

to be black, dark, deep green or deep blue


uli

Cognates include Itsekiri ulí, Igala únyí, from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-lí.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iléview map

ulí彼Ìjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀bú Òdeulé彼Àgọ́ Ìwòyèulé彼Ìjẹ̀bú Igbóulé彼Rẹ́mọẸ̀pẹ́ulé彼Ìkòròdúulé彼Ṣágámùulé彼Ìkálẹ̀Òkìtìpupaulí彼ÌlàjẹMahinulí彼OǹdóOǹdóulí彼Ọ̀wọ̀Ọ̀wọ̀ulí彼UsẹnUsẹnulí彼ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹulí彼

n̄lé彼ÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàilé彼Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ilé彼Ọ̀húnbẹ́ilé彼Kétu/ÀnàgóÌláráilé彼Ìmẹ̀kọilé彼Kétuilé彼Ifɛ̀Akpáréilé彼Atakpamɛilé彼Bokoilé彼Moretanilé彼Tchettiilé彼KuraAledjo-Kourailé彼彼Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandikpásɛ̃彼彼Northern NagoKamboleilé彼彼Manigriilé彼彼Southern NagoÌsakétéilé彼彼Ìfànyìnilé彼彼Overseas YorubaLucumíHavanailé彼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


ibaba

From iba + iba, literally “father's father”.

paternal grandfather
paternal grandfather


emirin

Compare with Itsekiri imúrẹ́n, either derived from or borrowed into Edo imuẹ́

Emírín ń jẹ wá lójú òde, emírín ń jẹ wá lójú òde, ọkọ ìyàwó ẹ dá wa lóhùn, emírín ń jẹ wá lójú òde.

2020, Akeem Lasisi & the Songbirds, 17:00 from the start, in EKUN IYAWO; The Bride's Poetry FULL VIDEO:

Gnats are biting us here in the open, gnats are biting us here in the open, bridegroom answer us, gnats are biting us in the open.

a type of biting insect similar to a mosquito; gnat


amure

wọ́n di ara wọn ní àmùrè

They wore a cloth band around their bodies

a type of belt or band made from cloth, usually worn to signify one's rank in a guild, group, or society


aayo

babá sa aṣọ náà ní ààyò

The father assigned the clothes as his favorite

ọmọ olúgbó ụmọlẹ̀ àrìmáàyò yúbẹ̀, káàyò rẹ̀ ké ró súlé dè é
The child of the forest of the deity that does not bring his beloved to accompany him, his beloved will wait for him patiently at home (Èkìtì familial oríkì)

(idiomatic) A person who is beloved or cherished by someone; (especially) the favorite wife of a man


nta

Alternative form of níta (“outside; out”)


gafara

Borrowed from Hausa gāfar̃ā̀, ultimately from Arabic غَفْر (ḡafr).

Mo tọrọ gáfárà


aala

From Contraction of àlìlà, ultimately from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lìlà (“partial reduplication of là "to divide, to split"”).


halaka

(transitive) to destroy, to wreck, to ruin


Sokoto

From Hausa Sakkwato, said to ultimately be from Arabic سُوق (sūq)

A state of Nigeria in the North West geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Sokoto.


tuka

(splitting verb, transitive, intransitive) to disperse, to dissolve

(splitting verb, with ojú) to be cheerful, to cheer up


japa

→ English: japa

→ Nigerian Pidgin: japa

From já (“to dart, dash”) + pa (“intensifier”). Slang term likely popularised by Naira Marley’s 2018 song, Japa.

compound

Jápa jápa, jápa lọ London // Jápa jápa, já wọ Canada // Jápa jápa, já wọ Chicago // Jápa jápa, já lọ sí Africa

2018, Naira Marley (lyrics and music), “Japa”, 0:52–1:08:

Japa japa, japa to London // Japa japa, flee to Canada // Japa japa, flee to Chicago // Japa japa, flee to Africa.

Wọ́n fẹ́ jápa.

2022 November 29, “Ẹ̀yin tí ẹ̀ ń jápa ẹ ṣọ́ra kí wọ́n má baà jà yín ní olè – Lai Mohammed [You who are emigrating, be careful to not get robbed - Lai Mohammed]”, in BBC Yorùbá:

(colloquial) to japa; to emigrate from a country, typically for better pay or working conditions.


kukunduku

From Hausa kūdaku, kūdàkū (“sweet potato”).
* Compare Nupe dùkú


waa

Wàá dàgbà, wàá dogbó.


fitila

From Hausa fìtilā̀, ultimately from Arabic فَتِيلَة (fatīla).


ogogoro

English: ogogoro

/ò.ɡó.ɡó.ɾó/

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gógóró (“at the top; the highest”)

af

(by extension) a very strong traditional gin made from the raffia palm tree


idigbo

→ English: idigbo

→ Japanese: イディグボ


kete

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *dede or Proto-Yoruba *gede, from Proto-Edekiri *dede, ultimately from Proto-Yoruba *dVdV, see Olukumi gèdè, Itsekiri dede, Igala dẹdẹ

Kete ulé sị́kọ́n?

(Ekiti, Idanre, Western Akoko) all, every, everyone, everything

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbogboview map

gúdúgúdúLIFTÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàkpóóLIFTỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́gbogboLIFTOnigbologbogboLIFTKétu/ÀnàgóKétugbogboLIFTIfɛ̀AkpárékpóóLIFTAtakpamɛkpóóLIFTBokokpóóLIFTMoretankpóóLIFTTchettikpóLIFTKuraAwotébibugbóLIFTLIFTPartagogbùgboLIFTLIFTMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiféíLIFTLIFTNorthern NagoKambolegúdúgúdúLIFTLIFTManigrigúdúgúdúLIFTLIFTNote: 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


iye

Cognate with Edo iye, Itsekiri iye, Igala íye, probably cognate with Ewe nyɛ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *-ye

mother, a title of respect for an older woman


iye

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yè (“to live, to survive”), literally “that which you survive for”


daju

From dá (“to be sharp, to be vocal”) + ojú (“face”), literally “to be vocal in the face”.


daju

ó dájú pé yóò jọba


apolo

From English Apollo 11, as conjunctivitis became more prevalent in Nigeria with the return of Apollo 11 the infection was believed to have been heralded by the moon visitors.


akara

→ English: akara, accra

→ Hausa: akara

→ Igbo: akala, akara

→ Krio: akara

→ Portuguese: acarajé

→ Wolof: akara, aakara

→ Nupe: kàrà

→ Gbagyi: kala

→ Gun: àklà

→ Fon: àklà

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àkàràview map

àkàrà钠Ìjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàìkàrà钠Òkè IgbóÒkè Igbóàkàrà钠Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tààkàrà钠Ẹ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaàkàrà钠ÈkóÈkóàkàrà钠ÌbàdànÌbàdànàkàrà钠ÌbàràpáIgbó Òrààkàrà钠Ìbọ̀lọ́Òṣogboàkàrà钠ÌlọrinÌlọrinàkàrà钠OǹkóÒtùàkàrà钠Ìwéré Iléàkàrà钠Òkèhòàkàrà钠Ìsẹ́yìnàkàrà钠Ṣakíàkàrà钠Tedéàkàrà钠Ìgbẹ́tìàkàrà钠Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́àkàrà钠Standard YorùbáNàìjíríààkàrà钠Bɛ̀nɛ̀àkàrà钠Northeast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaàkàrà钠Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréìkàrà钠Atakpamɛìkàrà钠Tchettiìkàrà钠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


Ori

From orí (“head”), ultimately from o- (“agent prefix”) + rí (“to see”), literally “That whom sees ahead of us”.

af

A Yoruba religious metaphysical concept referring to one's intuition, destiny, and consciousness in life.

Orí la kọ́kọ́ bọ, ká tó bọ òrìṣà

Ori is whom we worship first, before we worship the other orisha

the spirit or orisha representing this concept; it is regarded as a personal guardian of one's soul on earth, and the orisha of destiny, luck, existence, and fate. It is one of the most important orisha and Yoruba concepts in Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.


Afuganisitani

head

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

yo-pos

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

yo-proper noun

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

Borrowed from English Afghanistan, ultimately from Classical Persian افغانستان (afğānistān).

der

Afghanistan (A landlocked country between Central Asia and South Asia)


Sao

Possibly of Edo origin, its existence in other Ekiti towns may also suggest an Ekiti origin, an association with Edo may be the Sao's role in fighting against Bini invasions into Ekitiland. The first Sao of Akure is believed to have arrived to Akure during the reign of Oba Gbogi (late 17th century).

(Ekiti) a high-ranking warrior chief in several Yoruba towns. The Sàò is usually the highest ranking chief in the warrior class of a kingdom (in Akure, this class is known as Ùkómọ). Sàò is also a chief priest of the deity Ògún.


ogo

ó fi ilé e rẹ̀ dógò fún owó ti ó yá

He mortgaged his house for the money that he loaned

(finance) collateral, security, mortgage, debt


oni-

From o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have; to own”). The "o" prefix harmonizes with the initial vowel associated with the noun it precedes. Since /n/ and /l/ are allophonic in Yoruba, the prefix often changes to an /l/ when in compounds. However, it always remains an /n/ in Southeastern Yoruba dialects, while it always remains an /l/ in Central Yoruba dialects like Ekiti and in the Egba dialect.

af

oni- + ilé (“house”) → onílé (“landlord”)

oni- + adé (“crown”) → aládé (“royal, prince”)

oni- + ìṣègùn (“medicine”) → oníṣègùn (“doctor”)

oni- + ààfin (“palace”) → Aláàfin (“title of a king”)

oni- + oyè (“chieftaincy title”) → olóyè (“chief”)

oni- + ẹmu (“palm wine”) → ẹlẹ́mu (“palm wine seller”)

oni- + ọmọ (“child”) → ọlọ́mọ (“parent”)

oni- + edé (“crayfish”) → elédé (“crayfish seller”)

oni- + uṣu (“yam”) → onúṣu (“yam seller”)

oni- + múrí méjì (“40 naira”) → onímúrí méjì (“that which is worth 40 naira”)

a prefix (added to nouns to detail ownership or association to the noun)


akekee

Alternative form of akéekèe (“scorpion”)


ọkọ

Cognate with Igala ọ́kọ, proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kɔ, likely from the same root as akọ (“male”)


ọkọ

Cognate with Igala ọ́kọ̀, Urhobo okọ (“canoe; boat”), Isoko okọ (“canoe; boat”), and Edo okọ (“canoe; boat”), proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kɔ̀ (“boat”).


ọkọ

Persicaria senegalensis (syn. Polygonum senegalense)


ubo

ùjókòó (“seat”) → ubùjókòó (“a place to sit/settle”)

ùjẹrun (“eating”) → ubùjẹrun (“cafeteria”)

ùsù (“sleep”) → ubùsù (“bed”)


ọkan

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-wóka̰. Likely cognates include Igala ókà, Ifè kã̀, Itsekiri ọkan, and Olukumi ọ̀kan.

Fún mi ní ọ̀kan nínú àwọn ẹja yẹn.

Àtowóolówó àtowó-ẹni, kí ọ̀kan ṣáà má ti wọ́nni níbẹ̀.

Both somebody else's money and personal money, may we not lack whichever one (proverb on a final resort).


ọkan

Likely a Proto-Yoruba innovation that displaced ẹ̀dọ̀ (“chest, heart, emotion”), which served as the term for the organ for the seat of emotion (heart). In Northwest Yoruba and Standard Yoruba, this term semantically shifted to "liver," while certain Yoruba dialects maintain the semantic meaning of ẹ̀dọ̀ "emotion, feeling." However, almost all Yoruba dialects refer to the heart organ as "ọkàn," suggesting that it was a Proto-Yoruba innovation, see Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-kã̀, with it likely not existing in Proto-Edekiri. Yoruba dialects like Southeast Yoruba not descended from Proto-Yoruba likely thus borrowed the word from nearby Proto-Yoruba speakers. Evidence of pre-Yoruba roots may be found in a possible cognate, Olukumi akan (“kidney”), suggesting the term may have been a general root for internal organs, in a similar fashion to the word fùkù.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọkànview map

ọdùdùBUG-EYED MONSTEROlùkùmiUgbódùíghórẹ̀dọ̀BUG-EYED MONSTERProto-YorubaNorthwest YorubaẸ̀gbádòÌjàkáọkànBUG-EYED MONSTEROǹkóÒtùọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERÌwéré Iléọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERÒkèhòọkànBUG-EYED MONSTERÌsẹ́yìnọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERṢakíọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERTedéọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERÌgbẹ́tìọkẹ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ọkànBUG-EYED MONSTERStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàọkànBUG-EYED MONSTERBɛ̀nɛ̀ɔkànBUG-EYED MONSTERNortheast Yoruba

ẹ̀kẹ̀dọ̀BUG-EYED MONSTEREde Languages/Southwest YorubaCábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́ɔkɛ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERTchaourouɔkɛ̀nBUG-EYED MONSTERǸcàBaàtɛɔkànBUG-EYED MONSTERÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔkànBUG-EYED MONSTERỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́emíBUG-EYED MONSTEROnigboloɔkànBUG-EYED MONSTERKétu/ÀnàgóKétuɔkànBUG-EYED MONSTERIfɛ̀Akpáréowũ̀BUG-EYED MONSTERAtakpamɛowũ̀BUG-EYED MONSTERBokoowũ̀BUG-EYED MONSTERMoretanowũ̀BUG-EYED MONSTERTchettioŋù ɛ̀ɖɔ̃̀BUG-EYED MONSTERMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiímũBUG-EYED MONSTERBUG-EYED MONSTERNote: 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

Ọkàn rẹ̀ ń lù pupuupu.

Àrùn ọkàn ń dààmú-un wọn.

They were suffering [from] a heart disease.

Mo ní in lọ́kàn pé mo máa lọ sí Ìbàdàn láti rí ọ̀rẹ́ mi.

I had it in mind that I would go to Ibadan to see my friend.

Ẹ̀rí ọkàn yóò máà jẹ́ wọn lọ títí láé.

Their conscience will continue to prick them forever.

Ọkùnrin yìí lọ́kàn láti dúró de ẹkùn

This man was courageous to have stood in the way of a tiger.

Ọkàn gbọgbẹ́

Ọkàn mi wà ní ibòmíràn.

1997, Sachnine Michika, Dictionnaire usuel yorùbá-français suivi d'un index français-yorùbá (overall work in French), Ibadan, Nigeria: Éditions Karthala and IFRA-Ibadan, →ISBN, page 220:


ọkan

Uapaca guineensis (red-cedar, rikio, sugar-plum)


ọkan

Cylicodiscus gabunensis, a mimosa-like tree


ọkan

Kinkeliba, of west Africa, a shrub with leaves used in traditional medicine.


uya

(chiefly CY and SEY) punishment, suffering


uya

(chiefly CY and SEY) A term of familiarity or respect for an older woman or female relative or a woman of higher rank or importance.


kooko

Alternative form of koríko (“grass, weed”)


tautau

Ó ti gbẹ táútáú.

(of earth, climate etc.) bone-dry; arid; parched


beere

From bí (“to ask”) + èèrè (“explanation”), literally “to ask for an explanation”.

compound

(transitive, ditransitive) to ask a question, to make an inquiry


beere

(of an entity) sliding off something at a fast speed


yeye

mother, a title of respect for an older woman or a priestess of the orisha

yèyé omi

A general name for female river orisha, A priestess of any one of the river orisha

yèyé Ọ̀ṣun

A priestess of Osun, a nickname for Osun


yeye

Likely from a partial reduplication of *ye (“to be many”). Compare with Olukumi yéye, Itsekiri toye, Igala wéwe, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *yéye, from Proto-Edekiri *yéye, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *wéwe. Also see Ayere yè. iye (“amount, value”) may come from that same *ye root.

(Èkìtì, SEY, and Ìyàgbà) large quantity; numerous ones


dundun

→ English: dun dun

(music) dun dun drum; a type of talking drum (pitch-bending drum that mimics the tonal speech of Yorùbá)

(music) the talking drum family of drums, one of the 4 families of drums among the Yoruba.


iyan

Compare with Edo iyan (“yam”) and Ebira iya (“pounded yam”). Possibly cognate with Khana ya (“water yam”)

iyán lọba gbogbo oúnjẹ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iyánview map

ụyọ́n硃Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàiyán硃Ìgbẹsàiyán硃Ọ̀tàiyán硃Agégeiyán硃Ìlogbò Erémiiyán硃Ẹ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaiyán硃ÈkóÈkóiyán硃ÌbàdànÌbàdàniyán硃ÌbàràpáIgbó Òràiyán硃Èrúwàiyán硃Ìbọ̀lọ́Òṣogboiyán硃Ọ̀fàiyán硃ÌgbómìnàÌlá Ọ̀ràngúniyán硃Ìfẹ́lódùn LGAiyán硃Ìrẹ́pọ̀dùn LGAiyán硃Ìsin LGAiyán硃ÌlọrinÌlọriniyán硃OǹkóÒtùiyẹ́n硃Ìwéré Iléiyẹ́n硃Òkèhòiyẹ́n硃Ìsẹ́yìniyẹ́n硃Ṣakíiyẹ́n硃Tedéiyẹ́n硃Ìgbẹ́tìiyẹ́n硃Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́iyán硃Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́iyán硃Ìkirèiyán硃Ìwóiyán硃Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàiyán硃Bɛ̀nɛ̀iyán硃Northeast Yoruba/OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóiyán硃Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaǸcàBaàtɛàgú硃Ifɛ̀Akpáréàgú硃Atakpamɛàgú硃Bokoàgú硃Est-Monoàgú硃Moretanàgú硃Tchettiàgú硃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

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


iwe

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wé (“to bind, to wrap”), literally “That which can be bound”. Compare with Doublet of ewé

af

wọ́n ń tẹ ìwé

a scientific or academic research document


iwe

Coganates with Ifẹ̀ Yoruba ighe, Èkìtì & Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba uwe


iwe

Cognates with Yoruba èyí, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ìyí


kilomita

Kìlómítà mélòó l'ẹ ti rìn lónìí?

How many kilometers have you walked today?

kilometer, kilometre (unit of measurement, 1000 m)


agidigbo

English: agidigbo

/à.ɡí.dì.ɡ͡bō/

agidigbo, a traditional Yoruba lamellophone


ariya

Perhaps from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + yá (“to be excited, to be ready”)


abobo

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bòbó (“of an entity that is roundish, fleshy and reddish”)


Bara

(historical) the royal burial site of the Aláàfin of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire in the capital city of Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé

the current royal burial site of the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́, established after the destruction of Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé in present-day Ọ̀yọ́ town.


babalawo

→ English: babalawo

→ Portuguese: babalaô

→ Spanish: babalao

From baba (“father”) + oní (“one who has”) + awo (“mystery, secret”), literally “Father of mysteries”.


uroko

(Ekiti) The iroko tree, Milicia excelsa. It is regarded as sacred by the Yoruba people.


Matiu

a male given name originating from the Bible


Timi

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


wowo

(Ọwọ, Ondo, Ikalẹ) Alternative form of wúwo (“to be heavy”)


wowo

Said to be from a Reduplication of wó (“to crumble, to break”), referring to the fragility of the mushroom

reduplication

the edible fungi Psathyrella atroumbonata


waja

From wọ̀ (“to enter”) + àjà (“ceiling, attic”), literally “To enter the ceiling”.

compound

ọbá wàjà

(euphemistic, idiomatic, royal) to pass on, to die


waja

From wá (“to look for”) + ìjà (“fight”), literally “To look for a fight”.


aaya

the Chlorocebus sabaeus (Olive colobus) or Western red colobus


ghan

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) them (third-person plural honorific object pronoun following a high-tone monosyllabic verb)

Adéwúlí rí ghan ― Adewuli saw them/you (Ìkálẹ̀)

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) you (second-person plural honorific object pronoun following a high-tone monosyllabic verb)


ghan

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) them (third-person plural honorific object pronoun following a low or mid-tone monosyllabic verb)

Adéwúlí mà ghán ― Adewuli knows them/you (Ìkálẹ̀)

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) you (second-person plural honorific object pronoun following a low or mid-tone monosyllabic verb)


ghan

(Ọwọ) Ọwọ form of wọ́n (“to be expensive”)


iere

Alternative form of wèrè (“madness; crazy person”)


akere

From Proto-Yoruba *à-kèré, from Proto-Edekiri *à-kèré, ultimately proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *à-kèlé. Cognate with Igala àkèlé, Igbo àkèle, Nupe kèrégi, Edo ẹkirẹ, Idoma akere, and Urhobo okere.

ayọ̀ àyọ̀jù ni àkèré fi ṣẹ araa rẹ̀ nítan

It is excessive joy that causes the little frog to fracture its thigh

A small, swift frog, known for being edible


Maasi

(astronomy) Mars; the fourth planet in the solar system. Symbol: ♂


eela

(pathology) a type of skin inflammation or rash from herpes or eczema


adua

Contraction of àdúrà (“prayer”), ultimately from Arabic اَلدُّعَاء (ad-duʕāʔ)

der

Arabic اَلدُّعَاء (ad-duʕāʔ)

Bàbá ó fi dí mi gba àdúà ― Father asked me to say a prayer. (Ọ̀wọ̀)

(Ondo, Idanre, Ọwọ) Alternative form of àdúrà (“prayer”)


digi

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - dígíview map

ùwẹ̀ngbè敓Proto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìàyègbè敓Òdè Èkìtìàyègbè敓Òmùò Èkìtìàyègbè敓Awó Èkìtìàyègbè敓Ìfàkì Èkìtìàyègbè敓Àkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́àyègbè敓Ìjẹ̀ṣàIléṣààyègbè敓Northwest YorubaÈkóÈkódígí敓

àwòjíìji敓Northeast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbadígí敓Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréàwò敓Atakpamɛàwò敓Est-Monoàwò敓Tchettiàwò敓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


baaluu

From Etymology 1, or Onomatopoeic, referring to the sound an airplane or helicopter makes in motion.


agbayun

/à.ɡ͡bá.jũ̄/


Ayan

aláyàn

A person who worships Àyàn, a player of the talking drum

àyàn

A plant that is used in the construction of talking drums

Àyànlolú

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is the prominent one

Àyánbọ̀dé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has returned"

Àyánbíyìí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn gave birth to this one"

Àyándé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has arrived

Àyángbadé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has secured the crown

Àyángbayì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn receives dignity

Àyángbọlá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn received honor

Àyánníyì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has worth," "Àyàn has value/dignity"

Àyántómi

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is enough for me," "Àyàn is worthy of water"

Àyántóyè

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is worthy of honor"

Families who descend from drummers traditional bear the prefix, "Àyàn" in their names

The Yoruba orisha of drumming and drums.


eji

Likely from Proto-Yoruboid *(è-)jì. Cognates include Igala èjì, Itsekiri meji, Olukumi èzì, and Ifè méèdzì.


eji

Possibly derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-ji or Proto-Yoruboid *á-ji. Cognate with Igala áji (“river, stream, any type of body of water”) and Arigidi edʒĩ (“water”), Arigidi ùdʒi, Adja eji, Fon jĭ (“rain”), likely originally served as a synonym for water or any water-related noun in Proto-Yoruboid before becoming defined more narrowly. The root verb "ji" may be cognate with Nupe jè (“to flow, to run (as water)”), compare with Nupe èjè (“current, tide of water”), possibly from the root Proto-Niger-Congo *-gi (“water”)

cog

òjò kò bẹ́nìkan ṣọ̀rẹ́, ẹni ejí bá ni eji ń pa

The rain is not a friend of anybody, it rains on whoever gets exposed to it (proverb on neutrality of the law)


Gb

The eighth letter of the Yoruba alphabet, called gbì and written in the Latin script.


Waka

From the Hausa waƙa (song). Entered Yorùbá through Islamic influence from the Hausa, with the first literary usage of the word being written in an Ajami manuscript written by Salihu Apomu from the center of Islamic learning of Yorubaland, Ìlọrin. In his manuscript the word simply meant song, which is the same as the original Hausa definition.

a genre of Yoruba music with heavy Islamic influences coming from the Hausa


kede

From ké (“to shout”) + òde (“outside; public”)


agaga

akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ yìí fẹ́ràn ẹ̀kọ́, àgàgà t'ó tún jẹ́ ọ̀fẹ́

The student loves education, especially now that it is free


ukoko

(Ekiti, Ondo) Alternative form of ìkòkò (“pot”)


ukoko

(Ekiti) A type of Yoruba drum played by the Ekiti people


ogidan

ẹkùn ògìdán, olóólà-ijù

The powerful leopard, the one who marks the forest with his claws

erin ògìdán kọ́já ẹran àmúpaléyá

The powerful elephant the one who is far beyond what you slaughter instead of a ram for Eid-al-Adha (proverb on underestimation)

A nickname or praise name (oríkì) for a big cat or for any large and powerful animal.


paroko

From pa (“to convey”) + àrokò (“àrokò”).

to convey an àrokò; to send an àrokò to another party


bọn

Sálúbàtà bàbá mi ti bọn jù, kò ṣeé wọ̀.

My dad's sandals are too tattered, they're not wearable.


owo

Cognate with Olukumi ẹ́ghó, Nupe ewó, Edo ígho, Urhobo ígho see Yoruba dialectal forms for other cognates. Proposed to be reconstructed to Proto-Yoruboid *V́-ɣó, and perhaps a doublet of hóró and wóró.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - owóview map

oghó鎖OlùkùmiUgbódùẹ́ghó鎖Proto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìeó鎖Ìfàkì Èkìtìeó鎖Àkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́ió鎖

eó鎖Mọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìeó鎖Ifẹ̀Ilé Ifẹ̀oó鎖Ìjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàeó鎖Òkè IgbóÒkè Igbóowó鎖Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàowó鎖Ìgbẹsàowó鎖Ọ̀tàowó鎖Agégeowó鎖Ìlogbò Erémiowó鎖Ẹ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaowó鎖Ẹ̀gbádòAyétòròowó鎖Igbógilaowó鎖Ìjàkáowó鎖Ìlaròóowó鎖Ìṣàwọ́njọowó鎖ÈkóÈkóowó鎖ÌbàdànÌbàdànowó鎖ÌbàràpáIgbó Òràowó鎖Ìbọ̀lọ́Òṣogboowó鎖ÌlọrinÌlọrinowó鎖OǹkóÒtùowó鎖Ìwéré Iléowó鎖Òkèhòowó鎖Ìsẹ́yìnowó鎖Ṣakíowó鎖Tedéowó鎖Ìgbẹ́tìowó鎖Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́owó鎖Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàowó鎖Bɛ̀nɛ̀owó鎖Northeast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaewó鎖Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàowó鎖Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́owó鎖Ọ̀húnbẹ́owó鎖Onigboloowó鎖Kétu/ÀnàgóÌláráowó鎖Ìmẹ̀kọowó鎖Kétuowó鎖Ifɛ̀Akpáréowó鎖Atakpamɛowó鎖Est-Monoowó鎖Tchettiowó鎖Southern NagoÌsakétéowó鎖鎖Ìfànyìnowó鎖鎖Overseas YorubaLucumíHavanaowó鎖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


owo

Lára òwò ni owó wá.


igun

From Proto-Yoruboid *ú-gwṹnú, cognates include Igala úgwúnú and potential cognates include Nupe gùlǔ and Hausa ùngùlu.

vulture; (specifically) the Hooded vulture


Ộ

(Nigeria) The letter ⟨Ọ⟩ with falling tone


ộ

(Nigeria) The letter ⟨ọ⟩ with falling tone


Aye

The personification of Earth as a female primordial divinity, an orisha and imọlẹ̀.


Ajayi

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + yí (“to turn”), literally “One we fight to turn right side up”.

af

a unisex given name meaning “One we fight to turn”, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child born sideways or facing downwards

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One we fight to turn"., given to a child born facing downwards.


Balogun

baba (“father, elder”) + ní (“in”) + ogun (“war”), literally “The father of war”

compound

(historical) A traditional chieftaincy and military title in many Yoruba towns, who historically was the commander of the troops


dagba

From di (“to become”) + àgbà (“older, elder”), literally “To become an elder”.


Aro

Compare with Edo Ero, also possibly from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ró (“to hold, to uphold”)

af

For example, the Àró of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín is the chief priest of the worship of the deity Àjàlémògún.

a high-ranking traditional (Ìwàrẹ̀fà) chieftaincy title of many Yoruba towns. The holder of this position usually fulfills religious and ritualistic roles in their respective towns.


Ige

a male given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child who is born via a breech birth


Alabi

àlà (“white cloth of Ọbàtálá, purity”) + bí (“to give birth to”), "'One born of purity", "One born of the white cloth."

compound

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One born of purity, One born of the white cloth".


alade

The common species of yam grown and consumed in the Yoruba region, specifically Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata


karuwa

From Hausa kār̃ùwà, ultimately from Arabic عَاهِرَة (ʕāhira).


kakaki

(music) trumpet; (in particular) the kakaki


anabi

From Hausa ànnabī̀, from Arabic اَلنَّبِيّ (an-nabiyy).


lẹ

ohun-ọ̀sìn náà lẹ̀

(transitive or intransitive, biology) to reproduce


lẹ

ó lẹ́ obì

(transitive) to transplant a plant or seedling


aajo

wọ́n ṣe aájò ènìyàn

They showed serious concern for the people's welfare

solicitation of a priest or authority figure for help or advice regarding supernatural affairs.


Egun

Ogu people, an ethnic group from Benin, Lagos, and Ogun State.

The Gungbe language spoken by the Ogu people.


Egungun

Folk etymology from the Odù Ifá (corpus of the Yoruba religion), specifically Ọ̀wọ́nrinṣẹ́ (Odu #105), states it comes from e- (“agent creating prefix”) + gún (“to arrive, to land”) + gún (“to align, to straighten, to put in order”), literally “the ones who arrive to put (the world) in order”. Said to be associated with the phrase sayégún (“One who aligns the world”).
Cognate with Ede Nago egoúngoún, Igala égwú, Igala Égwú. In Igala, the term in its noun form means corpse or dead body. This suggests that it comes from the same root as Igala ògwú (“killer instinct, spirit associated with killing”), in which the root gwú, likely means to kill or die. Thus, this term is proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-gwṹ, ultimately deriving from Proto-Yoruboid *gwú (“to die”). This is the same root that the term Ògún is believed to come from, thus making this a Doublet of Ògún. The root gwú in term is almost certainly from the same root as kú (“to die”), see *kú for its relation to other languages.

cog

A Yoruba masked or costumed figure (consisting of a human wearing an ẹ̀kú), representing the physical manifestation of the spirit of an ancestor and regarded as a Yoruba orisha. Often mistranslated as masquerade.

A performer who wears a costume to entertain. (See aláàrìnjó.)


Aguda

(historical) Afro-Brazilian Yoruba people who were sold into slavery and upon being freed returned to Nigeria, often characterized by the maintaning of Portuguese names

Catholic (many Afro-Brazilian returnees were Catholic)


ikun

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kùn (“to grumble, growl”)


ikun

ukù

Ìjẹ̀bú, Ìkálẹ̀

Ó jẹun, ó yọ ikùn

He was well fed, and thus he grew a potbelly

Ó fi ọ̀rọ̀ náà pamọ́ sí odò ikùn


ikun

Elétí dídi bí ikún

The one who is deaf like the ground squirrel

A species of ground squirrel; (in particular), Euxerus erythropus, in Yoruba legends it is believed to be deaf


lọ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - lọview map

Ùdànè, Ùdànrè

yú制ÌdànrèÌdànrèyú制Ìjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀bú Òdeyún制

rè制OwéKabbayún制Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀Lọ́kọ́jayú制Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodelɔ制Cábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́lɔ制Tchaouroulɔ制ǸcàBaàtɛlɔ制ÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàlɔ制TogoDatchalɔ制Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́lɔ制Onigbololɔ制Kétu/ÀnàgóKétulɔ制Ifɛ̀Akpárélɔ制Atakpamɛlɔ制Bokolɔ制Est-Monolɔ制Moretanlɔ制Tchettilɔ制KuraAledjo-Kouralɔ制制Awotébilɔ制制Partagolɔ制制Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandinɛ̃̀制Northern NagoKambolelɔ制制Manigrilɔ制制Southern NagoÌsakétélɔ制制Ìfànyìnlɔ制制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


lọ

Irú ṣòkòtò yìí ṣòroó lọ̀.


lọ

Inú ń lọ́ mi

I have a stomach-ache (literally, “The stomach is twisting/pinching me”)

Fi mí sílẹ̀! Má lọ́ mi léèékánná


lọ

Ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ lódò ní àwọn lè lọ́ ìlẹ̀kẹ̀

Frogs in the stream say they can string beads


ahun

From Proto-Yoruba *a-ɣʊ̃, *a-ŋʊ̃, from Proto-Edekiri *a-ɣʊ̃, *a-ŋʊ̃, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ŋʊ̃. Compare with Olukumi ághọ́n and Igala áñọ


ahun

Alstonia boonei (cheesewood, pattern wood, or stool wood)


berebere

Idà tó mú bérébéré


patapata

→ Nigerian Pidgin: kpatakpata, patapata

→ Gun: kpátákpátá, pátápátá

→ Fon: kpátákpátá

→ Krio: kpatakpata

Reduplication of pátá. Cognates include Basa kpátákpátá, Lukpa kpátákpátá, Akpes kpátákpátá, Olukumi kpátákpátá, Nupe kpáátá.

Wọ́n ti jẹ àkàrà yẹn tán pátápátá


indomi

Genericized from product name Indomie, from Indonesian Indomie, derived from indo (“Indonesian”) + mie (“noodles”).

A à rówó, a à róúnjẹ, gaàrí wọ́n, ráìsì wọ́n, òróró wọ́n, íńdómì wọ́n.

2021, Punch Newspapers, 5:27–5:35 from the start, in Ojú Ká'lé: Èló Ni Derica Kan Ìrẹsì Àtẹ̀wà Lágbègbè Tiyín? | PUNCH Yoruba:

There's no money, there's no food, garri is expensive, rice is expensive, cooking oil is expensive, instant noodles is expensive.

genericized trademark
genericized trademark


ọmọ

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-mã, from Proto-Edekiri *ɔ-mã, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-mã, Cognates include Igala ọ́ma, Itsekiri ọma, Edo ọmọ, Urhobo ọ́mọ́, Isoko ọmọ. It is related to roots meaning "to beget," or "to give birth to," suggesting *mã to be an obsolete root meaning "to give birth to."

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọmọview map

The smallest entity in a pair or group, the smaller tool in a set.

Ìbí kò yàtọ̀, bí a ṣe bẹ́rú la bọ́mọ

Birth is not different; the enslaved were born in the same way as the freeborn

freeborn child; someone not born into slavery

Ẹ má gbàgbé láti yán ọmọ nídìí ọ̀rọ̀

Don't forget to put subdots under the words.


ọmọ

→ Nigerian Pidgin: omo

(informal) Used to express excitement, surprise, astonishment, pleasure, disgust etc.


awun

From Proto-Yoruba *a-ɣʊ̃, *a-ŋʊ̃, from Proto-Edekiri *a-ɣʊ̃, *a-ŋʊ̃, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ŋʊ̃

Alternative form of ahun (“miser, greed”)


mugbo

From contraction of mu (“to smoke”) igbó (“marijuana”).


rọ

Tẹ́ ẹ bá gbàgbé láti bomi rin òdòdó tí ẹ gbìn, òdòdó náà á rọ.

If you forget to water the flower you planted, the flower will wilt.

(transitive) to wilt; to wither; to shrivel up (leaves or flowers)


rọ

Òjò máa rọ̀.

It'll rain. (literally, “Rain will fall.”)


rọ

Ọjọ́ ti rọ̀.

It's getting late. (literally, “The day has softened.”)

Baby dán mi wò lẹ́ẹ̀kan, wàá rí i pé mo rọ̀ bí ẹ̀kọ.

2016, DMW HQ, 0:41 from the start, in Mayorkun - Eleko (Official Music Video):

Baby test me once, you'll see I'm soft like ẹ̀kọ (corn pap).

Ojú ajá ti rọ̀

Ó rọ̀ mí lọ́rùn

I find it easy (literally, “It's soft on my neck”)

Rírọ̀ ní ń rọ àdàbà lọ́rùn


rọ

Alágbẹ̀dẹ ló bá mi rọ àdá yẹn

It was a blacksmith that forged that cutlass for me


odidi

Odidi ọjọ́ kan ni wọ́n lò níbẹ̀.


alaye

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to open, to expand”) + yé (“to understand”)


alaye

From oní- (“one who has”) + ayé (“life”), literally “one who possesses life”.

(colloquial, slang) powerful or impactful person

(Internet, text messaging, criminal slang) a code word used by scammers to reveal themselves to each other


lapalapa

a kì í fi ẹ̀tẹ̀ sílẹ̀ pa làpálàpá

we don’t leave leprosy in order to treat ringworm


Oro

An orisha and primordial divinity of justice, masculinity, and traditional rituals. He is symbolized by the sound of a bullroarer. The Ògbóni and Òṣùgbó are the primary cult and worshippers of Orò.

the primarily male cult that worships the divinity Orò, and serves as the chief authority and enforcement of legal and religious law in Yoruba towns.

Oròóbíyìí

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has given birth to this child; Ritual has given birth to this child"

Oròólẹ́yẹ

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has honor."

Oròóṣọlá

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has made honor."

Oròówọlẹ́

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has entered the household."

Oròówùsì

a Yoruba name meaning, "Oro has grown in prominence

a Yoruba given name prefix given to those born in Oro families


ịn

Compare with Olukumi wẹ́n and possibly Igala mẹ́, it has slowly been replaced by sún mọ́ from standard Yoruba

Ulé àba mi àti ulé àba rẹ̀, ọ́n ị́n ara rin-ọ́n

My dad's house and his father's house are close to each other

(Ekiti) to be near or close to something


gure

Talinum fruticosum, also known as waterleaf


tawe

Ó máa ń tàwé níbí.

tà'wé

standard orthography when ìwé has a qualifier


bawo

From bá (“happen to do something (verbal element)”) + èwo (“which”)


muwe

From mọ̀ (“to know”) + ùwé (“book”) (Èkìtì), (Oǹdó)/ mù (“to know”) + ùwé (“book”) (Ìjẹ̀bú). Cognates with Yoruba mọ̀wé

Oígho mi dọ́mọ mi mùwé o, ọ̀mùwé má jùyà/ Ẹlẹ́dàá mi dọ́mọ mi mùwé o, ọ̀mùwé má jùyà. (Oǹdó)

2020, AI T, 8:42 from the start, in omo song in ondo dialect:

My orí, let my children be educated, the educated don't suffer/ My creator, let my children be educated, the educated don't suffer.

(idiomatic, Ondo, Ekiti, Ijebu) to be intelligent; to be highly educated


oju

Cognate with Igala éjú, Olukumi ózú, and Itsekiri ejú, proposed to be from Proto-Yoruboid *é-jú

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ojúview map


ọmọde

> Lucumí: omodé (inherited)

→ Portuguese: amadê

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.dé/


Taye

From tọ́ (“to taste”) + ayé (“the world, life”) + wò (“to try”), literally “To taste life first”.

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the first child in a set of twins


ayun

From a- (“agent prefix”) + yùn (“to cut something with a saw”)

af

Ó mú ayùn gé irin


bẹ

bẹ ìbẹ́pẹ


bẹ

ogun-ún bẹ́ sílẹ̀

(intransitive) to snap, to burst, to break


bẹ

Ó ń bẹ nísàlẹ̀

Epo ń bẹ, ẹ̀wà ń bẹ o ― There's oil, there's beans(part of the oríkì ìbejì)

(intransitive, always used with ń) to be (in a location), to exist


bẹ

ìbẹ́ àbẹ́jù l'ó mú kí ẹpọ̀n eégún yọ síta

It is the excessive jumping about of the egungun spirit that causes his testicles to show outside his costume (proverb against going beyond one's limit)

(intransitive) to hop, to jump (downwards)


bẹ

Mo bẹ́ aásáà


bẹ

to slash, to cut off, (in particular), to slash something with a machete or cutlass


jiya

From jẹ (“to consume”) + ìyà (“suffering”). Cognates include Ifè dzìyà, Olukumi zùyà. Compare Gun jìyà, Fon jìyà, Saxwe Gbe jì àyà, Adja ʒì aya


atupa

Compare with Olukumi owúkpá, Olukumi úkpá