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


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

ùwẹ̀ngbèFALSE FRIENDProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìàyègbèFALSE FRIENDÒdè ÈkìtìàyègbèFALSE FRIENDÒmùò ÈkìtìàyègbèFALSE FRIENDAwó ÈkìtìàyègbèFALSE FRIENDÌfàkì ÈkìtìàyègbèFALSE FRIENDÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́àyègbèFALSE FRIENDÌjẹ̀ṣàIléṣààyègbèFALSE FRIENDNorthwest YorubaÈkóÈkódígíFALSE FRIEND

àwòjíìjiFALSE FRIENDStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàdígíFALSE FRIEND

àwòjíìjiFALSE FRIENDNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbadígíFALSE FRIENDEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpáréàwòFALSE FRIENDAtakpamɛàwòFALSE FRIENDEst-MonoàwòFALSE FRIENDTchettiàwòFALSE FRIENDNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

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

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

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

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


baaluu

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


agbayun

/à.ɡ͡bá.jũ̄/


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)


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


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.


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

eóPOLYSEMICMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìeóPOLYSEMICIfẹ̀Ilé Ifẹ̀oóPOLYSEMICÌjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàeóPOLYSEMICÒkè IgbóÒkè IgbóowóPOLYSEMICNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàowóPOLYSEMICÌgbẹsàowóPOLYSEMICỌ̀tàowóPOLYSEMICAgégeowóPOLYSEMICÌlogbò ErémiowóPOLYSEMICẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaowóPOLYSEMICẸ̀gbádòAyétòròowóPOLYSEMICIgbógilaowóPOLYSEMICÌjàkáowóPOLYSEMICÌlaròóowóPOLYSEMICÌṣàwọ́njọowóPOLYSEMICÈkóÈkóowóPOLYSEMICÌbàdànÌbàdànowóPOLYSEMICÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràowóPOLYSEMICÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboowóPOLYSEMICÌlọrinÌlọrinowóPOLYSEMICOǹkóÒtùowóPOLYSEMICÌwéré IléowóPOLYSEMICÒkèhòowóPOLYSEMICÌsẹ́yìnowóPOLYSEMICṢakíowóPOLYSEMICTedéowóPOLYSEMICÌgbẹ́tìowóPOLYSEMICỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́owóPOLYSEMICStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàowóPOLYSEMICBɛ̀nɛ̀owóPOLYSEMICNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaewóPOLYSEMICEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàowóPOLYSEMICỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́owóPOLYSEMICỌ̀húnbẹ́owóPOLYSEMICOnigboloowóPOLYSEMICKétu/ÀnàgóÌláráowóPOLYSEMICÌmẹ̀kọowóPOLYSEMICKétuowóPOLYSEMICIfɛ̀AkpáréowóPOLYSEMICAtakpamɛowóPOLYSEMICEst-MonoowóPOLYSEMICTchettiowóPOLYSEMICSouthern NagoÌsakétéowóPOLYSEMICPOLYSEMICÌfànyìnowóPOLYSEMICPOLYSEMICOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaowóPOLYSEMICNote: 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


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).


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.


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.)


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


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


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, and Edo 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.


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”)


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


gure

Talinum fruticosum, also known as waterleaf


ọmọde

> Lucumí: omodé (inherited)

→ Portuguese: amadê

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.dé/


oju

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ojúview map


ayun

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

Ó mú ayùn gé irin


atupa

Compare with Olukumi owúkpá, Olukumi úkpá


egho

(Idanre, Usẹn) Alternative form of owó (“money, cowrie”)


ewua

(Ondo) water yam; purple yam; Dioscorea alata or Dioscorea smilacifolia


eefin

From Contraction of èfínfín, ultimately from è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fínfín (“reduplication of fín "to blow air onto something"”).

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - èéfínview map

òrúrɔ̀WOORDENBOEKBokoòwúrɔ̀WOORDENBOEKMoretanòwúrɔ̀WOORDENBOEKTchettiòwúrɔ̀WOORDENBOEKNorthern NagoKamboleòwúwɔ̀WOORDENBOEKWOORDENBOEKNote: 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


alagba

From oní- (“one who has”) + àgbà (“elderly age”).


ewedu

→ English: ewedu

Corchorus olitorius
Corchorus olitorius#Translingual

Jute mallow, the Corchorus olitorius plant

A soup made from the cooked leaves of the ewédú plant. When mixed with gbẹ̀gìrì soup it is known as àbùlà


ọrẹ

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rẹ́ (“to befriend”).

affix

(euphemistic) concubine, lover, significant other


aike

Contraction of àkíké, cognates include Èkìtì Yoruba àkíké, Yoruba àáké

Mo nẹ́ àíké kọ̀n nọ́wọ́


jaguda

/d͡ʒà.ɡù.dà/


jaguda

/d͡ʒà.ɡù.dà/


agada

agada kò mọ orí alágbẹ̀dẹ

The scimitar does not recognize the head of the blacksmith who manufactured it (proverb on the neutrality of the law)

scimitar, a large sword or knife used in war


agada

(Ekiti) A type of drum used among the Àkúrẹ́ people, a subsection of the Èkìtì people


karakata

From kí (“subjunctive particle”) + a (“we”) + rà (“buy”) + kí (“subjunctive particle”) + a (“we”) + tà (“sell”).


okuta

From Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-kʊ́ta, from Proto-Edekiri *ɔ̀-kʊ́ta, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-kʊ́ta. Cognate with Igala òkwúta, Edo okuta, Olukumi òkúta, and Igbo òkutā.


uko

From Proto-Yoruboid *ù-kó, equivalent to ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to gather, to scoop up”). While in Standard Yoruba and Northwest Yoruba, the alternative form ìkó only translates to the beak of the bird (with the term ètè referring to the mammalian lip), in the Central and Southeast Yoruba dialects ùkó, it retains its general meaning as a term for the lip of any mammal and the beak of a bird. Compare with Igala ùkó (“lip”).

af

(chiefly CY, anatomy, zootomy) beak; lip


gede

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

(Ọwọ, Eastern Akoko) all, every, everyone, everything

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbogboview map


okobo

Òkóbó ò lè fi alátọ̀sí ṣẹ̀sín.

The eunuch cannot tease the person with gonorrhoea.


kurukuru

Noun sense derives from ideophone sense.

(of an entity) being opaque, foggy, or cloudy


ejika

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ká (“arm, shoulder, wing”) and a Doublet of apá. Probably cognate with Igala ójíká


aworo

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wò (“to look”) + rò (“to tell”), literally “One who looks to the orisha and then utters its message”.

af

A male priest of the orisha, whom often leads the traditional rituals and sacrifices to a specific orisha.

An executioner, whom specifically serves the orisha Orò as one who kills the live animals brought as sacrifices


oyo

Mona monkey, often mistaken with the monkey known as ìjímèrè


iwin

forest fairy; magical creatures whom are believed to reside in the forest and aid in the preparation of ritual medicine (òògùn)

(by extension) person with weird attributes (in comparison to the supernatural creature)


iwin

Likely derived from Proto-Edekiri *i-wĩ́, compare with Proto-Yoruba *i-wĩ́ (Central Yoruba and Olukumi), also see Olukumi íwín. It is unclear but possible that this is also attested in NWY, or it is possible it is related to imí. The term "imi," has a much wider etymology with cognates found throughout Volta-Niger, so it is unlikely that only NWY maintained the word. While such a term is not attested in Igala, the term for the dung beetle, Igala ákítọ̀wúnyí may possibly suggest the root "yí" is of Proto-Yoruboid origin. See yímíyímí. Perhaps also related to Igbo oyī (“ugly, nauseating”).

(Ijebu, Ondo, Eastern Akoko, Ikalẹ) feces, excrement


iwin

Compare with Olukumi iwún, Ifè irṹ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *i-wṹ, also see *sĩ́wṹ


abilekọ

*A compound incorporating ilé (“house”) and ọkọ (“husband”).
* From abi- (“prefix”) + ilé (“house”) + ọkọ (“husband”)

affix

married woman living with her husband; wife


egungun

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *égbṵ́gbṵ́, cognate with Igala ógwugwu.


imale

→ Portuguese: malê

Of unclear origin, but likely from Hausa mālàmī (“[Islamic] teacher”). A common folk etymology connects the term with the Mali Empire.


akata

(sometimes derogatory) A term for African-Americans. It was coined by Nigerian students in the U.S. during the 60s-70s in honor of the Black Panther Party; but now perceived as having derogatory connotations.


agho

(Ọwọ, Eastern Akoko) Ọ̀wọ̀, Eastern Àkókó form of awó (“guinea fowl”)


saraki

Borrowed from Hausa sarkī. Doublet of sáákì and Doublet of séríkí


alubarika

From Hausa àlbar̃kā̀, ultimately from Arabic بَرَكَة (baraka). Doublet of báríkà.

Olúwa yóò fi àlùbàríkà sí iṣẹ́ẹ wa


aṣiri

From Hausa àsīr̃ī, ultimately from Arabic سِرّ (sirr).


alaafia

→ Krio: alafia

Ṣé àlàáfíà ni?

good health, peace (often used in salutations)


alujọnnu

/à.lù.d͡ʒɔ̃̀.nṹ/

From Hausa àljan, from Arabic جَانّ (jānn).

jinn, imp, malevolent spirit, a person with special powers

àǹjànnú onímọ̀-ìjìnlẹ̀

àǹjànnú onímọ̀-ìjìnlẹ̀


erinmi

From erin (“elephant”) + omi (“water”), literally “water elephant”, see Urhobo eníame


rakunmi

/ɾà.kũ̄.mĩ́/


ehoro

Perhaps related to Igala áfolo, compare with Ifè aworo, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-folo

rabbit, hare; (in particular) African savanna hare


ọmọ odu

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄ ō.dù/

one of the two hundred and forty minor signs of the Ifa divination system


maluu

→ Edo: emẹlu (“bull”)

→ Urhobo: imelu (“cattle”)

Possibly from an older form màlúwù. It is a very old loan word, likely from a language of what is now Northern Nigeria (as that is how cows likely arrived to Yorubaland, perhaps from Fula. Cognate words do not exist or have not been found in the modern vocabulary of Northern languages that have vocabulary borrowed by the Yoruba (Baatonum, Fulfulde, Hausa, Nupe), thus possibly suggesting it may have likely borrowed from a now extinct language, or a word no longer used in the vocabulary of the original language.

cow, ox, cattle; (in particular) zebu cow


alangba

/ā.lá.ŋ̀.ɡ͡bá/

Possibly from oní- (“one who has”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ǹ + gbá (“to sway, to strut while walking”), literally “The one who sways while walking”


eṣinṣin

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *V́-cĩcĩ, cognate with Igala áchichi, Olukumi esinsin, Ifè etsĩtsĩ, see Yoruboid reconstruction for more, likely also related to English tsetse


oju odu

/ō.d͡ʒú ō.dù/

From ojú (“eye, main, center”) + odù (“Odu Ifa”), literally “The main Odu”.

affix

one of the sixteen principal signs of the Ifa divination system

ojú odù

The first and most important sixteen chapters of the odù Ifá


adiẹ

Cognate with Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba ẹdùwẹ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-dɪ̀wɛ, compare with Yoruba ẹyẹ.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - adìẹview map

adìyɛABAWEDNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaadiyẹ́ABAWEDEde Languages/Southwest YorubaCábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́adìɛABAWEDTchaourouadìɛABAWEDÌcàBantèadìɛABAWEDÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàedìyɛABAWEDỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́adìyɛABAWEDOnigboloedìyɛABAWEDKétu/ÀnàgóKétuadìyɛABAWEDIfɛ̀Akpáréadɛ̀ɛABAWEDAtakpamɛadɛ̀ɛABAWEDBokoadɛ̀ɛABAWEDMoretanadɛ̀ɛABAWEDTchettiaɖɛ̀ɛABAWEDKuraAwotébiadɛ́ABAWEDABAWEDPartagoádɛ̀ABAWEDABAWEDMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiajɛ̀ɛABAWEDNorthern NagoKamboleadɛ̀ɛABAWEDManigriadɛABAWEDABAWEDNote: 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


Ifa

From Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-fá, Ifa divination can be traced linguistically to Volta-Niger, see Proto-Volta-Niger *-fa, however the ultimately etymology of the root is of unknown origin. Cognates exist across Volta-Niger languages, see Igbo Afa, Ewe Afá, Fon Fá, Igala Ífá, Edo Iha, Ebira Eva, Urhobo Epha, and Nupe Eba. Several theories exist among worshippers of Ifá

A complex system of divination in Yoruba religion.


ayọ

a- (“agent prefix”) + yọ̀ (“to rejoice”). Cognates include Itsekiri ọ̀yọ̀, Ede Idaca ayɔ̀

af

Orin ayọ̀ ló ń dùn lẹ́ẹ̀kan yẹn

Joyful music was playing a short while ago


alubọsa

From Hausa albasa, ultimately from Arabic بَصَل (baṣal). Cognates with Emai àlùbásà


agbọrin

/à.ɡ͡bɔ̀.ɾĩ́/

Alternative form of àgbọ̀nrín (“bushbuck”)


alufaa

→ Portuguese: alufá

From a Songhay language, ultimately from Arabic فَقِيه (faqīh, “expert in Islamic law”). Compare Ewe alufa, Fula alfaa, Baatonum alufa, Nupe àlùfáà.


maleka

From Arabic مَلَائِكَة (malāʔika), the plural of مَلْأَك (malʔak), perhaps by way of an intermediary like Hausa màlā'ikā̀.


Musulumi

From Hausa mùsùlmī, ultimately from Arabic مُسْلِم (muslim).


Alake

From oní- (“one who has”) + Aké (“Ake”), literally “One who has Aké”.

affix

the traditional ruler of the Egba people

(historical) the traditional ruler of the Ẹ̀gbá Aké section of the Ẹ̀gbá people.


fadaka

silver, (chemical element, Ag, atomical number 47)


mọṣalaṣi

/mɔ̃́.ʃá.lá.ʃí/

From Hausa masallācī, ultimately from Arabic مَسْجِد (masjid)


ẹpa

Cognate with Igbo ọ̀kpà, Igala ọ̀kpà, likely originally referring to the Bambara groundnut


alumọni

Ultimately from Arabic مَال (māl, “possessions; wealth”), through an uncertain intermediate, likely a Songhay language (compare Koyraboro Senni alman (“wealth”)).


aluwala

From Hausa àlwàlā, ultimately from Arabic وَضُؤَ (waḍuʔa).


alukawani

From Hausa àlkawàr̃ī, ultimately from Arabic قَوْل (qawl).


Larubawa

From Hausa Lār̃abāwā (“Arabs”), ultimately from Arabic عَرَب (ʕarab).


aago

aogo

Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà

kí ni aago wí?

what time is it? (literally, “what does the clock say?”)

ẹ máa waago

aago kan


ṣibi

→ Gun: cíví, ṣíví

→ Fon: cíví

From Hausa cibī, compare with Baatonum sibi and Nupe shíbí.


Ẹgba

Perhaps from the phrase ẹ̀- + gbá + lé + igbó, literally “Ones who wander and hit the forest”, compare with Ẹ̀gbádò

af

the Egba people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people, historically consisting of three sections, the Gbágùrá or Ẹ̀gbá-Àgùrá, the Ẹ̀gbá Òkè-Ọ̀nà, and the Ẹ̀gbá Aké (also known as, and after 1840, the Òwú and Ìbarà have also been regarded as a subgroup within the Ẹ̀gbá capital of Abeokuta).

The dialect of Yoruba spoken by the Ẹ̀gbá people


ṣẹkẹrẹ

→ English: sekere

→ Portuguese: xequerê

→ Spanish: chekeré

/ʃɛ̀.kɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/


ẹpa roro

/ɛ̀.k͡pà ɾò.ɾō/


mọsalasi

From Hausa masallācī, ultimately from Arabic مصلى.

Alternative form of mọ́ṣáláṣí (“mosque”)


danṣiki

→ English: dashiki

From Hausa ɗan ciki (literally “inner garment”).


alumọgaji

/à.lù.mɔ̃́.ɡà.d͡ʒí/

From Hausa àlmakàshī, from Arabic مَقَصّ (maqaṣṣ).


Anago

→ Fon: anagó (“Yoruba”)

→ French: Nagot

→ Haitian Creole: Nago

→ Portuguese: nagô

→ Spanish: nagó

> Lucumí: anagó (inherited)

Possibly from Fon Anagó, compare with Ewe Anagó

A subgroup of the Yoruba people mainly living in the town of Kétu in the Republic of Benin and southwest Yorubaland

The Ànàgó dialect spoken by the Ànàgó people of Kétu


ọba

→ English: oba

→ Portuguese: obá

Folk etymology states that it comes from ọ- (“agent prefix”) + ba (“to watch over”). Other etymological theories suggest it coming from the same root as father, compare with baba (“father”), ọbàkan (“paternal half sibling”), ọmọba, but is usually gender neutral when referring to a monarch. Cognate with Arigidi ɔba, Edo ọba

ọbabìnrin

queen (as in a queen who rules in her own right, rather as the wife of a king)

Ọbańta

A senior chieftaincy title and the name of the founder of the Ìjẹ̀bú kingdom


agbado

→ Hausa: àgwā̀dō

Possibly cognate with Fon agbadé, Gun gbàdó, Igbo ọ̀gbàdụ

Bí agbada ò bá gbóná, àgbàdo ò lè ta

If the pan isn't hot, the corn won't pop


amọ

Cognates include Igala ámá, Itsekiri amà, Ifè amà


imọle

Of unclear origin, but likely from Hausa mālàmī (“[Islamic] teacher”). A common folk etymology connects the term with the Mali Empire.


iṣana

→ Hausa: àshānā

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣáná (“to ignite”).


ajeji

→ Portuguese: jeje

/à.d͡ʒè.d͡ʒì/


ireke

→ Hausa: ràkē

A kì í bá kíkan láàrin ìrèké

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

We do not find sourness inside a sugarcane (proverb on sugar cane as symbolizing sweetness).


ẹran

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-lɔ̃, cognate with Igala ẹ́la and Arigidi árọn


aṣọ-ẹbi

/ā.ʃɔ̄.ɛ̄.bí/


ẹbi

àìlówó ni ẹbí kò sí, bí a bá di olówó tán, tajá-tẹran níí di ẹbí ẹni

it is when one does not have money that there are no relatives, when one becomes wealthy, everybody becomes one's relatives (proverb against parasitic relatives)


ẹbi

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bi (“to do evil, to reap a reward for being evil”).

af

wọ́n dá a ní ẹ̀bi


ẹbi

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to give birth”).

the act of childbirth, the act of giving birth


aṣọ

Cognate with Ede Idaca acɔ, compare with Itsekiri aṣọ, perhaps derived from Proto-Edekiri *a-cɔ


faari

From Hausa fahàr̃ī, ultimately from Arabic فَخْر (faḵr).


abọriṣa

/ā.bɔ̀.ɾì.ʃà/

From a- (“agentive prefix”) + bọ (“to worship”) + òrìṣà (“orisha”).


Eebo

Alternative form of Òyìnbó (“European, white person”)


Oyinbo

→ English: oyinbo

→ Igbo: òyìbo

→ Nigerian Pidgin: oyìbo

A folk etymology states it is from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yìn (“to scratch”) + bó (“to peel”), literally “The ones who have have scratched and peeled off skin”.

(sometimes derogatory) A black person who has adopted a European lifestyle or traits


mọmọ

Alternative form of màmá (“mother, mom”)

Alternative form of màmá (“A term of respect for an elderly female relative, an older woman, or a woman of higher rank or importance”)


irọlẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ̀ (“to be at ease, to be soft”) + alẹ́ (“evening”), literally “The soft (early) part of the evening”.


owurọ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-wʊ́rɔ̀, *ò-wúrɔ̀

Alternative form of àwúrọ̀ (“morning, origin, beginning”)


ẹgbọn

(by extension) older blood relative on the same level as oneself


aarọ

Contraction of àwúrọ̀, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-wʊ́rɔ̀


ọsan

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-sã́, possibly from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sán (“to shine powerfully, to strike, to be powerful”). Cognate with Igala ọ̀rọ́ka, Itsekiri ọ̀sọ́n.


ọsan

From ọ- (“nominalising prefix”) + sán (“to tie”).

(music) leather strings on the side of a drum to maintain tension of the skin (awọ) (in particular) talking drum strings made from the hide of a calf or underside of a mature cow.

Ọsán tó já ló sọ ọrun di ọ̀pá.

The bowstring that got broken was what turned the bow into a stick.


alẹ

Cognate with Igala ánẹ́, equivalent to a- (“non-gerundive nominalizing prefix”) + lẹ́ (“to approach the night, to be at dusk”).

(idiomatic, euphemistic) one's deathbed, the end of one's life


alẹ

Cognate with Igala ánẹ̀ and possibly Igbo ala, Igbo ànị̀, Igbo ànà, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-lɛ̀, possibly related to dawn breaking over the land, see Igala nẹ̀

Alẹ̀

personification of the land as a female deity


aṣẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ́ (“to eject”)


aṣẹ

→ Spanish: aché

→ Portuguese: axé

→ English: ase

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ (“to come to pass, to take effect”). Compare with Edo isẹ and Urhobo isẹ.

àṣẹkáṣẹ

reckless or misaligned command, authority, or spell; any command, authority or spell

Ọba wọn pa àṣẹ fún wa.

Ó ti ta àṣẹ lé wa.


ọja

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *á-jà (“village, homestead”), cognate with Olukumi ọzà (“market”), Igala ájà (“residence. compound, homestead, settlement”), Itsekiri aja (“village”), Ifè adzà (“market”), where the semantic meaning shifted from "village," "homestead," or "home" to market, likely as towns grew bigger and markets became a feature of an established town. This semantic meaning seems to still exist in compound terms like ọlọ́jà (“king”), literally meaning "ruler of the town." The semantic shift may have appeared after the split of Itsekiri from Proto-Edekiri. Likely related to Igala ájá (“market”)

cog

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọjàview map

Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔjàFREINote: 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

ariwo àwọn èrò ọjà ń hó kùù

The noise of the market people was very loud

ọmọ́ ń polówó ọjà

The child was inviting buyers to buy merchandise

(by extension) market commodities, merchandise; products


ọja

belt, sash, often used to denotate membership or rank within a group

abiyamọ́ fi ọ̀já gbé ọmọ pọ̀n

The mother used a cloth sash to carry her child on her back

baby sling; an additional cloth sash used to secure the ìpọnmọ when backing infants


ọja

ọ̀- (“negation prefix”) + jà (“to fight”), literally “That who cannot fight”

affix

(Ekiti) princess in the town of Ado Ekiti and surrounding towns


pẹlẹ

ọ̀rọ̀ pẹ̀lẹ́ níí yọ obì lápò; ọ̀rọ̀ líle níí yọ ọfà lápó

Gentle words yield an offer of kolanuts from the pockets; harsh words bring out arrows from the quiver (proverb on gentleness as a virtue)


ẹranko

From ẹran (“animal, meat”) + oko (“farm, wild”).


ọga

→ Hausa: ògā

→ Igbo: ọgá

→ English: oga

→ Nigerian Pidgin: oga


ọjọ

Cognate with Igala ọ́jọ́, ultimately proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-jɔ́, equivalent to *ɔ́- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *jɔ́. The meaning of the verb *jɔ́ could relate to the traditional significance of the symbolic of the sunrise and the "beginning," that the day brings. The divine nature of the day is reflected in the Igala and Yoruba traditional religions, where the personification of the day serves as the Supreme divinity of the Igala religion Ọ́jọ́ and as a primordial divinity in Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, Ọlọ́jọ́. See ọdún Ọlọ́jọ́.


iṣẹ

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ-cɛ́, cognate with Igala úchẹ́ (“farm, farm work”), equivalent to i- (“non-gerundive nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ́ (“to do farmwork;to work”)

affix

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iṣẹ́view map


iṣẹ

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ̀ (“to originate”)


iṣẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ́ (“to suffer poverty or deprivation”).


awọn

a- (“agent-creating prefix”) + wọ́n (“to be expensive”)


orukọ

→ Portuguese: oruncó

Lucumí: oruko

Compare with Olukumi órúkọ, Ifè ɛ́kọ, and possibly Igala ódú, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ɗú. Likely ultimately Westerman's reconstruction to Proto-Volta-Congo *-ni, with a possible transition from /d/ to /r/ (unclear if this r is still the /ɾ/ flap/tap used in modern Yoruba). See reconstructed Proto-Yoruboid form for more cognates

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - orúkọview map

ékɔABDESTABDESTManigriekɔABDESTABDESTSouthern NagoÌsakétéerúkɔABDESTABDESTÌfànyìnerúkɔABDESTABDESTNote: 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


orukọ

Alternative form of òbúkọ (“billy, billy goat”)


eyin

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *é-ɲĩ́. Cognate with Ayere éyĩ́, Àhàn eɲĩ, Igala ényí, Arigidi eɲĩ, and Ebira aɲɪ́. Possibly related to Bu enyiri and Tarok ìnyin, ultimately from a common Proto-Volta-Congo [Term?] source.


ẹba

→ English: eba

Possibly from ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bà (“to ferment”)

af

a swallow made with cassava flour (gàrí)

(by extension, idiomatic) food, sustenance


iranti

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rántí (“to remember”)


Atalaata

From Hausa Tàlātà, ultimately from Arabic الثُّلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯulāṯāʔ).

der

الثُّلَاثَاء

Arabic الثُّلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯulāṯāʔ)


Alamisi

From Hausa Àlhàmîs, ultimately from Arabic الْخَمِيس (al-ḵamīs).


ẹrin

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rín (“to smile; to laugh”).


ẹrin

Name of a plant. Further details are uncertain.


arun

àrùn l'à á wò, a kì í wo ikú

it a disease we cure, we do not cure death


arun

Cognate with Olukumi ẹrun and Igbo ọ́nú, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-lʊ̃


ẹjọ

ẹjọ́ ikú


ẹẹkan

From adverbial prefix ẹ̀ẹ̀- + kan, the adjectival form of oókan.


ẹwa

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-gwà. Possible cognates include Igala ẹ̀gwà and Igbo àgwà.

The bean plant, usually referring to several members of the family Fabaceae and often specifically the cowpea plant

A general name for beans, peas, and legumes, often specifically referring to the black-eyed pea


ọkọọkan

/ɔ̀kɔ̀ɔ̀kɔ̃̄/

Derived from a reduplication of ọ̀kan (“one”), then condensed.


ookan

Derived from owó (“cowrie”) + ọ̀kan (“one”).

Ebi kò mọ̀ pé oókan kò sí lọ́wọ́, bí ojúmọ́ bá ti mọ́, ebi a máa pani

Hunger does not know that one is in penury, each waking day, one is bound to be hungry

Ṣẹ́ aṣọ funfun po dé oókan àyà òkú

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting C. L. Adéoyè, Àṣà àti Ìṣe Yoruba, number LDC2008L03, 1979, Ibadan: Oxford University Press, page 324, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

Fold over the white cloth to reach the center of the corpse's chest


mejeeji

/méd͡ʒèèd͡ʒì/


idaji

Contraction of ìdá méjì (“two fractions, two units”).


idaji

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to be alone in doing something”) + jí (“to wake up”), literally “The act of waking up alone (because most people are sleeping at this time)”.

af

(idiomatic) dawn, early in the morning, daybreak


aake

mo fi àáké gé igi

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àákéview map

kàtàkàrígíPATRONAGENote: 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


mẹtẹẹta

/mɛ́tɛ̀ɛ̀tā/


mẹrẹẹrin

/mɛ́ɾɛ̀ɛ̀ɾĩ̄/


olila

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

(Ọwọ, Ikalẹ) Alternative form of onílá (“okra seller”)


mẹfẹẹfa

/mɛ́fɛ̀ɛ̀fà/


afaa

(Islam) An imam, a Muslim religious leader.


gaasi

ipò gáàsì

gáàsì olóró

Ẹ súnmọ́ mi ńbí, gbogbo ẹ̀yin idán onífèrè. Ǹjẹ́ ẹ tiẹ̀ mọ gáàsì tẹ́ ẹ máa ń fi sínú fèrè kó tó di wá di pé ẹ ń gbé e fúnra yín tẹ́ ẹ wá ń fà á símú kákàkiri?

2023, Arojinle, 0:08–0:44 from the start, in "Balloon Gas" inhalation is dangerous:

Come close, all you ballon gas inhailers. Do you even know the gas you put inside the balloons before you now come and be inhaling it everywhere?

Wọ́n sọ wí pé púpọ̀ nínú àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè Yúróòpù ló ń gbe ìṣèjọba Russia lọ́wọ́ nípasẹ̀ ríra epo àti gáàsì Russia.

2022, “Ohùn-kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́: Ìlọ́wọ́sí àwọn ìlú apá Ìwọ̀-Oòrùn nínú ìkógunjàlú tí Russia gbé ko Ukraine”, in Global Voices ní-Yorùbá:

They argue that multiple European countries have been enabling the Russian regime by buying Russian oil and gas.


maraarun-un

/má.ɾàà.ɾũ̀ṹ/


ozu

(Ào) Alternative form of ojú (“face, eye”)


mejeeje

/méd͡ʒèèd͡ʒē/


mẹjẹẹjọ

/mɛ́d͡ʒɛ̀ɛ̀d͡ʒɔ̄/


idamẹjọ

/ì.dá.mɛ́.ꜜd͡ʒɔ̄/


idamẹsan-an

head

ìdámẹ́sàn-án

ìdámẹ́sàn-án

yo-pos

ìdámẹ́sàn-án

ìdámẹ́sàn-án


mẹsẹẹsan-an

head

mẹ́sẹ̀ẹ̀sàn-án

mẹ́sẹ̀ẹ̀sàn-án

yo-pos

mẹ́sẹ̀ẹ̀sàn-án

mẹ́sẹ̀ẹ̀sàn-án

/mɛ́sɛ̀ɛ̀sɔ̃̀ɔ̃́/


iyawo

→ Krio: yawo

→ Nupe: yawo

A Folk etymology suggests it is from ìyà (“suffering, punishment”) + Ìwó (“Iwo town”), literally “The suffering I experienced in Ìwó town”. The story originates from several verses of the odù Ifá chapter Ogbèyọ̀nú, in which the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà married a woman in the town of Ìwó and she proceeds to mistreated him severely, yet he still maintained his patience.
* Compare Nupe yàwó.

compound

(dated) junior wife; (the other wives in a polygamous marriage not the senior wife)


alikama

From Hausa àlkamā̀, from Arabic الْقَمْح (al-qamḥ).


mẹwẹẹwaa

/mɛ́wɛ̀ɛ̀wàá/

Assimilation of mẹ́wàá mẹ́wàá, a reduplication of mẹ́wàá.


gbi

The name of the Latin-script letter Gb/gb.


ṣi

The name of the Latin-script letter Ṣ/ṣ.


atọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tọ̀ (“to urinate”), from Proto-Yoruba *à-tɔ̀, from Proto-Edekiri *à-tɔ̀, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *à-tɔ̀, Doublet of ìtọ̀


atọ

a small gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) with a long thin neck used as a musical instrument or used to store medicine


atọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + tọ́ (“be lasting, live a long life”).


atọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + tọ́ (“be on a straight line”).

one that is straight, right, or appropriate


okun

òògùn yìí mì ara ní okun


okun

(idiomatic, figurative) connection, relationship

(by extension) a term for plants with thin, stringlike stems

This definition is often used as a prefix in Yoruba given names (ex. Okùnọlá).


okun

A prefix used in Yoruba given names (ex. Òkúnríbidó)


akala

àkàlà á ṣá ojú ìkà jẹ

The hornbill gouge out the eyes of the wicked

A general term for the various species of hornbill


apola

The sense "phrase" was coined by Yoruba Metalanguage (Èdè-ìperí Yorùbá)


ẹgusi

→ English: egusi

→ Fon: goussi

→ Hausa: àgushī

→ Igbo: ègwusi, ègusi

Possibly from ẹ̀gún (“thorn”) + esí (“melon, pumpkin”), literally “Thorns of the melon”?

compound

The name of two species of melon
Cucumeropsis Mannii

The name of two species of melon
watermelon

egusi (The seeds of the egusi melon used to make soup)


ụmụ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-ŋmʊ̃́, compare with Igbo imi


ihoho

From Contraction of ìhòrìhò, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ì-wòrìwò, from Proto-Edekiri *ì-wòrìwò


pọtọpọtọ

head

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀

yo-pos

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀

yo-noun

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀


pẹtẹpẹtẹ

of continuous mid-pitched noises of light walking on a muddy substance


pẹtẹpẹtẹ

compound

pẹtẹ + pẹ́tẹ́

of distinct mid-pitched or high-pitched noises of light walking on a muddy substance


pẹtẹpẹtẹ

head

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀

yo-pos

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀

of continuous low-pitched noises of light walking on a muddy substance


pẹtẹpẹtẹ

head

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

yo-pos

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

Noun sense derives from ideophone sense, ultimately from pẹ̀tẹ̀ + pẹ́tẹ̀

compound

pẹ̀tẹ̀ + pẹ́tẹ̀

of distinct low-pitched noises of light walking on a muddy substance


pẹtẹpẹtẹ

head

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

yo-pos

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

yo-noun

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀

compound

pẹ̀tẹ̀ + pẹ́tẹ̀


yauyauu

Derived from a reduplication of yàúù, from English Yahoo!. Compare English Yahoo boy.

Ẹ̀yin yàtọ̀ sáwọn ọmọ yàúyàúù tó ń ya bébà lóní yanya

2015, Dayo Akanmu, quoting Babalọlá, “New Yoruba Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions: A New Mode of Communicating New Concepts and Ideas on Radio”, in Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism, →DOI:

You are different from the Yahoo boys (Internet fraudsters) who spend extravagantly


irọkẹ

a tapper used by priests to do Ifa divination


afojusun

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fojúsùn (“gaze upon or focus on with one's eyes”)


ẹkun

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-kʊ̃̀, equivalent to ẹ- (“agent prefix”) + kùn (“to growl, grumble”), literally “That which growls”. Cognate with Igala ẹ́kọ̀, Igbo agụ


ẹkun

From ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kún (“to cry”)


ẹkun

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kún (“to fill”), literally “That which is fill, that which is complete”.


oṣumare

/ò.ʃù.mà.ɾè/

Of unclear origin. From òṣù + mọ̀ + àrè, ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣù (“to clump, curve”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + àrè. The root for àrè is unclear, some folk etymologies link it to Àrè, an ancient crown of the Ooni of Ife. Other theories link it to the "re" part of Olódùmarè

compound

òṣù + mọ̀ + àrè

af

àwọ̀ méje l'ó wà nínú òṣùmàrè

python, specifically, it is regarded as the serpent symbol of the spirit of the rainbow, Òṣùmàrè. Its excrement is used in traditional medicine preparations.


iṣẹju

/ì.ʃɛ́.d͡ʒú/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ́jú (“to blink, wink”).


ojubọ

/ō.d͡ʒú.ꜜbɔ̄/

From ojú (“face, surface”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ (“to offer, to sacrifice”), literally “surface of offering”.


oju ọjọ

/ōd͡ʒú ɔ̄d͡ʒɔ́/


oju ọrun

/ōd͡ʒú ɔ̀ɾũ/

From ojú (“face”, “surface”) + ọ̀run (“Heaven”, “sky”). Literally “The face of Heaven”.


ojola

From ò- + jò + lá (“big”), literally “Big snake”, the root jò likely is the same in ejò

af

python; (in particular) African rock python (Python sebae) and the Ball python


ẹyinju

/ɛ̄.jĩ̄.d͡ʒú/

From ẹyin (“egg”) + ojú (“eye, face”). Literally “the egg of the eye”.


agbọn

a- (“agent-creating prefix”) + gbọ́n (“to be wise, intelligent”)


agbọn

Alágbọ̀n

place near Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, Ọ̀yọ́ State, Nigeria


agbọn

a- (“agent-creating prefix”) + gbọ̀n (“to shake, shiver”)


agbọn

Unclear etymology, from à- + gbọn, likely a Yoruba coinage as the words for coconut in Central Yoruba or related languages like Itsekiri, Igala, Edo, Igbo, Nupe, are not related from this (most come from a Portuguese root). Other languages that don't have borrowings from Portuguese usually use a variation or compounding with a word for the oil palm tree, which is similar to the coconut. This may also suggest that Western Yoruba speakers did not receive coconuts from the Portuguese, and instead may have gotten it from another source. Compare with Ifè àgbã.
*Unlikely, but possibly from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbọ̀n (“to shake”)?

af

Alágbọn

Nigeria Police Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria


agbọn

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *à-gbã̀. Cognates exist in most other Volta-Niger languages (where it is often translated as chin or jaw), suggesting what is likely a common Volta-Niger origin, see Igala àgbà, Ayere àngbà, Yekhee agba, Itsekiri agba, Arigidi àmgbà, Arigidi àgbɔ̀̃, Edo agbanmwẹn, Idoma agba, Fon gbà, Igbo àgbà, and Urhobo egba, and potentially Oko-Eni-Osayen akã̂, perhaps from Proto-Volta-Niger *à-gbà. The possible Benue-Congo cognates Ibibio mban̄, Ahwai akpaal, and Ahwai áŋkpàn may suggest a pre-Volta-Niger origin, which is uncertain.


eniyan

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *Vnḭ. A folk etymology states it comes from eni (“being, person”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yàn (“to choose”), literally “Chosen beings”, in comparison to earlier pre-human earthly beings called eníyán, translated as "the one's who were expelled."

compound

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ènìyànview map

ịráyéABDALMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìọ̀nị̀yọ̀nABDALÌjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàònìyànABDALNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàènìyànABDAL

èèyànABDALEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàònìyànABDALỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ònìyànABDALOnigboloònìyànABDALKétu/ÀnàgóKétuònìyànABDALIfɛ̀Akpáréɔ̀nyàABDALAtakpamɛɔ̀nyàABDALEst-Monoɔ̀nyàABDALTchettiɔ̀nyàABDALSouthern NagoÌsakétéònìyànABDALABDALÌfànyìnònìyànABDALABDALNote: 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


ojukokoro

/ōd͡ʒúkòkòɾò/


oju sanma

/ōd͡ʒú sɔ̃́mɔ̃̀/


irere

Probably related to the second etymology 2


irere

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


mọinmọin

English: moimoi

/mɔ̃́.ĩ́.mɔ̃́.ĩ́/

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


dọla

Eélòó ni kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù yìí? Dọ́là márùn-úndínláàádọ́rùn-ún ($85) ni.

How much is this cupboard? It's 85 dollars.


orita

From orí (“head, surface”) + ìta (“outside, crossroad”)


orombo

/ò.ɾō.ŋ̀.bó/


kọmputa

Nonstandard spelling of kọ̀ǹpútà (“computer”).


ewu

From Proto-Yoruba *i-ɣú, Proto-Yoruboid *í-ɓṹ, possibly cognate with Igala ímú.

Ẹ ó fọwọ́ pawú

May you use your hand to rub gray hair (a prayer for old age)


ewu

From e- (“agent prefix”) + wu (“to undergo or face serious danger”).

af

ewu ńlá wu wá


ewu

Ọmọ amúkàrà sábẹ̀ èwù jẹ ― One who sneaks akara under their clothes to eat (oríkì of Adó-Èkìtì)

(Ekiti, Ifẹ) Alternative form of ẹ̀wù (“clothes”)


harafi

Likely borrowed from Hausa har̃àfī, ultimately from Arabic حَرْف (ḥarf, “letter”).

Háràfí kìíní lédè Yorùbá jẹ́ "A"

The first letter in the Yoruba language is "A"


linguisiiki

Mo ń kọ́ lìǹgúísíìkì ní yunifásitì ti Ìbàdàn.

I'm studying linguistics at the University of Ibadan.


ẹrindinlogun

Lucumí: diloggún

/ɛ̀.ɾĩ̀.dĩ́.ló.ɡṹ/

Compound of ẹ̀rin + dín + ní + ogún, literally “four reduced from twenty”. Compare Edo enẹ́irrọ́vbugiè and Ifè mɛ́ɛdógú òŋú ɔ̀kã.

cog

mɛ́ɛdógú òŋú ɔ̀kã

Ifè mɛ́ɛdógú òŋú ɔ̀kã

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) a form of divination consisting of the casting of sixteen cowries (ẹyọ). It is primarily by all priests of the orisha; with the exception of babalawos (Ifá priests to divinate to their respective orishas (ex. Èṣù, Ọbàtálá), however, the tool can still be used to consult Ifá. It also consists of a different order of the Odù (in comparison to the Odù Ifá). (For example, the first Odù from the ẹ̀rìndínlógún is Ọ̀kànràn, as opposed to the Ejì Ogbè in the Odù Ifá)


ogun

→ Gullah: ogun

→ Lucumí: ogún

→ Trinidadian Creole English: ogun

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-gwũ. Cognates include Ifè ogu, Igala ógwu, and Olukumi ogun. Likely related to Nupe ekun and Gbari ekun.

ogun àgbáyé

Ogun ti ja gbogbo ilú wa.

Ìlérí ilé kò mọ ti à ń jagun; kùfẹ̀kùfẹ̀ kò mọ ìjà; ijọ́ tí a bá rí ogun là á mọ ojo.

Boasting at home has nothing to do with waging a war; bragging has nothing to do with fighting; it is the day of battle that we know the coward. (proverb against boasting or bragging)

Ọ̀rẹ́ẹ̀ mí gbogun tì mí lẹ́nu iṣẹ́.

My friend was waging a war against me at work.

adágundúródàgbàlagbà

one who stops a war from reaching the elderly


ogun

a black mangrove tree (Avicennia africana)


ogun

Cognates include Ifè ogú and Igala ógwú, from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-gwṹ.

owó-orí sísan lórí ogún

Agbójúlógún faraa rẹ̀ fòṣì ta

Anyone who builds his hope on some future legacy will become vulnerable to destitution. (proverb against irrational expectation)


igba

From Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-gbá, cognate with Igbo ụgbā.

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual


igba

bitter tomato, Solanum aethiopicum; garden egg, eggplant


igba

Parkia biglobosa
Parkia biglobosa#Translingual


kabukabu

→ Nigerian Pidgin: kabukabu

→ English: kabukabu

cab; taxi (in particular) a private car operating as an unlicensed taxi.


edekoyede

èdè (“language”) + kò (“negation prefix”) + yé (“to understand”) + èdè (“language”), literally “language doesn't understand language”


ẹyẹle

From ẹyẹ (“bird”) + ilé (“house”), literally “house bird”.


ọkin

The ọ̀kín bird originally referred to the white morph of the African Paradise flycatcher, which has extremely long, white wings. It is praised as "king of the birds." Upon the introduction of peacocks to Nigeria sometime in the mid-1900s, ọ̀kín became a neologism referring to the peacock, and now it is widely used.

Ọ̀kín bàbá ẹiyẹ, ọ̀kín ẹlẹ́wà àlà

Okin the father of the birds, okin, the one with the beautiful white feathers

(dated) African paradise flycatcher, especially the white morph form with white tail feathers; cattle egret

(modern) peafowl; peacock (peacocks did not live in the range of Yorubaland in the past, and were introduced in recent times)


ẹtu

(in particular) Maxwell's duiker (Philantomba maxwellii)


ẹdun

Cognate with Igala ẹ́dọ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɛ-dʊ̃, from Proto-Edekiri *ɛ-dʊ̃, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-dʊ̃

ọmọ ẹdun tí ń ṣeré lórí igi
The child of the ursine colobus monkey that is playing on the tree (part of the oríkì of ìbejì (twins))

colobus monkey (Colobus vellerosus), known for its deep cultural association with twins


ẹdun

(usually with àrá) thunderbolt; thunderstone, associated with the orisha Ṣàngó


ẹdun

Cognate with Igala ẹ́dọ̀, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ-dʊ̃̀ or Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-dʊ̃̀, equivalent to *ɛ́- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *dʊ̃̀ (“to chop”). The verb *dʊ̃̀ likely means to chop or cut down, compare with ké (“to axe”) in àkíké (“axe”)


ẹja

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-ja, cognates include Olukumi ẹ́zá and Igala ẹ́ja, likely related to Igbo azu


kọnsonanti

Kọ́ńsónáǹtì méjìdínlógún l'ó wà ní édè Yorùbá: B, D, F, G, GB, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, Ṣ, T, W, àti Y.
In Yoruba, there are 18 consonants: B, D, F, G, GB, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, Ṣ, T, W, and Y.


fawẹli

Fáwẹ̀lì méjìlá l'ó wà ní èdè Yorùbá. Fáwẹ̀lì àìránmúpè méje: A, E, Ẹ, I, O, Ọ, U, àti fáwẹ̀lì àránmúpè márùn-ún: AN, ẸN, IN, ỌN, UN.
In Yoruba, there are 12 vowels. 7 oral vowels: A, E, Ẹ, I, O, Ọ, U, and 5 nasal vowels: AN, ẸN, IN, ỌN, UN.


sababi

From Hausa sabàbī, ultimately from Arabic سَبَب (sabab).


tadawa

Borrowed from Hausa tàdawā̀, from a Berber language, ultimately from Arabic دَوَاة (dawāh, “inkwell”).


gogoro

Ó ga gogoro

igi gogoro má gún mi lójú, òkèèrè la ti ń wò ó


olodo

→ Nigerian Pidgin: olodo

oní- (“one who possesses”) + òdo (“zero”)

prefix

(sometimes offensive) a dunce, a stupid person, one who receives poor grades


olodo

oní- (“one who possesses”) + odó (“mortar”)

a seller, owner, bearer or maker of mortars


iyalẹta

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yá (“to borrow”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”) + ta (“to shine”), literally “The act of borrowing sunlight from the ground to shine”.


ẹrẹja

/ɛ̄.ɾɛ́.d͡ʒà/

According to Débọ̀ Awẹ́, from a folk etymology, ẹrẹ́ jà (“the place where Ẹrẹ́ fought”). Possibly from ẹrẹ́ + ọjà (“market”)

ọmọ olúlé ẹrẹ́jà kẹ́ráàbọ̀ ìsinmi ẹyẹ ― The child of the house in the central market where you will see many bird nests (family oríkì)

(Ekiti) market square; the central market in an Èkìtì Yorùbá town. It normally opens every five days.


amulu

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mú (“to take”) + lù (“to beat”), literally “That which is used to beat something”.

af

The 240 minor signs of the Ifa divination system.

The minor 240 chapters of the Odù Ifá corpus after the 16 oju odu, beginning with Ogbeyẹku.


egure

Compare with Itsekiri igùrè (“village”), see Oǹdó Yoruba eguè, probably from Proto-Edekiri *i-gùrè


kadara

From Hausa ƙàddar̃ā̀, from Arabic قَدَر (qadar).


ọrọ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-là, compare with Igala ọ̀là


ọrọ

Ọmọ yìí ti ya ọ̀rọ̀

This child has become a mysterious being.

(mythological) a supernatural fairy or spirit, believed to reside in physical objects and possess people


ọrọ

An old Proto-Yoruboid form only maintained in the Ekiti dialect and Igala language, see Igala ọ̀dọ̀, perhaps derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-ɗɔ̀. Some linguists of the Ekiti dialect suggest the r in this word is /ɽ/, differing from the usual /ɾ/


ọrọ

matters, a concern of great urgency, issue


ọrọ

The plants of the Euphorbia genus, specifically Euphorbia kamerunica, often misidentified as a cactus due to their similar appearances


ọrọ

Any of the various species of cactus, or a variety of other species of the Euphorbia genus and other genera erroneously identified as cactus

ọrọ́ agogo

a plant of the genus Euphorbia, specifically Euphorbia kamerunica


ọrọ

head

ọrọ́ or ọ̀rọ́

The plants Nesogordonia papaverifera and Sterculia rhinopetala of the former Sterculiaceae family


foonu

Fóònù mi ti kú


atẹjiṣẹ

/à.tɛ̀.d͡ʒí.ʃɛ́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ̀ (“to type”) + jẹ́ (“to send, deliver”) + iṣẹ́ (“a message”), literally “that which is sent and delivered”.

affix

Àtẹ̀jíṣé tí a sẹ̀sẹ̀ gbà láti ọwọ́ ọmọ Nàìjíríà rere kan fi yé wa pé súnkẹrẹrẹ-fàkẹrẹrẹ ọkọ̀ wà láti Ajégúnlẹ̀ sí Mile Two pọ̀ díẹ̀ nítorí òjò tí ó rọ̀.

2015, Dayo Akanmu, quoting Bàṣírù Àdìsá reading a text message from an eyewitness for the program Lójú Pópó (on the road) on Fàájì 105.6 FM Lagos, “New Yoruba Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions: A New Mode of Communicating New Concepts and Ideas on Radio”, in Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism, volume 5, number 1, School of Languages, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Nigeria, →DOI:

The text message we have just received from a good citizen of Nigeria informed us that there was a serious traffic jam from Ajégúnlẹ̀ to Mile Two because of the rain.


janjan

/d͡ʒã̄.d͡ʒã̄/


aṣa

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣá (“to slash, to strike, to peck”), literally “That which strikes”

af

A general name for the hawk or kite, but (in particular) the Black-winged kite


aṣa

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣà (“to select; to be specially chosen”), literally “that which is specially chosen to be practiced”


ọmọnile

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.nĩ́.lé/

From ọmọ + ní + ilé ("child in the house").


ṣẹkẹṣẹkẹ

/ʃɛ̄.kɛ́.ʃɛ̄.kɛ̀/


aganrandi

/à.ɡã́.ɾã́.dì/

gate, a short door used to farm animals from entering a house


ẹfọnha

/ɛ̄.fɔ̃́.hà/

From ẹfọ́n (“oil palm midrib's back”) + ìhà (“side”).


ayegbe

Compare with Edo ùghègbè, Igbo ùgègbè, Itsekiri ughéngbè

(Ekiti, Ijesha, Ikalẹ, Ondo, Eastern Akoko) mirror, glass


orupo

a mud bed in a home used for sitting and sleeping


orupo

(Ekiti, Ijesha) inner chamber of a room; bedroom


epo

Compare with Itsekiri ekpo, Olukumi ekpo, Igala ékpo. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *e-kpo, from Proto-Edekiri *e-kpo, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *e-kpo. Also see Ayere ekpú


epo

Annona senegalensis
Annona senegalensis#Translingual

Any plant of species Annona senegalensis


epo

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pò (“to concoct”)


Ọgbẹni

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɛ́.nĩ̄/

Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Akínbíyìí

Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Àdàndé ti dé.

Mister, Mr. General title or respect of an adult male.


maapu

máàpù inú átíláàsì


nọmba

nọ́ḿbà ìdánimọ̀


ṣọọki

Fi ṣọ́ọ̀kì kọ orúkọ rẹ.


jomijoke

/d͡ʒō.mĩ̄.d͡ʒò.kè/

From jẹ̀ (“to roam”) + omi (“water”) + jẹ̀ (“to roam”) + òkè (“upper”), literally “To roam the water and above the water”.


oruka

→ Nupe: rùka

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́lṵ̀-ìka, cognate with Igala èlìka, Edo òròká, Izon ụrụká


litireṣọ

/lí.tí.ɾé.ʃɔ̀/


iwu

From Proto-Yoruboid *í-ɓṹ, cognate with Igala ímú.

Ín ó fọọ́ piwú

May you use your hand to rub gray hair (a prayer to reach old age)


ile-ikawe

From ilé (“house”) + ìkàwé (“act of reading books”), literally “the house of reading books”.

Mo ń lọ sí ilé-ìkàwé láti yá ìwé kíláàsì mi.

I'm going to the library to borrow a book for my class.

Òkè kelòó ni ilé-ìkàwé ilé wà? — Ó wà l'ókè kẹta.

What floor is this house's reading room on? — It's on the third floor.


ile-itawe

From ilé (“house”) + ìtàwé (“act of selling books”), literally “the house of selling books”.

Ó lọ sí ilé-ìtàwé láti ra ìwé mẹ́tàlélọ́gbọ̀n (33).

She went to the bookstore to buy 33 books.

DIALOUGE: Délé pàdé ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ Tọ́lá ní ọ̀nà ilé-ìtàwé. […]
Délé: Níbo ni o tí ń bọ?
Tọ́lá: Mó ń bọ láti ilé-ìtàwé. Mo lọ ra ìwé yìí fún kíláàsì Báọ́lójì mi.

1993 November 24, Antonia Yétúndé Fọlárìn Schleicher, “Ẹ̀kọ́ Kejì: Family Members”, in Jẹ́ K'Á Sọ Yorùbá [Let's Speak Yoruba], Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 50:

DIALOUGE: Délé runs into their friend Tọ́lá on the route to the bookstore. […]
Délé: Where are you coming from?
Tọ́lá: I'm coming from the bookstore. I went to buy this book for my Biology class.


innsi

head

ínǹsì or ínńsì


itawe

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tàwé (“to sell books”), literally “the act of selling books”.


ẹfun

ẹ- (“non-gerundive nominalizing prefix”) + fun (“to be white; light”)


ọmọge

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.ɡē/


ọmọba

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.bā/


oju ologbo

/ō.d͡ʒú ō.ló.ɡ͡bò/


oṣupa

Lucumí: ochukuá

From Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-cʊ̀kpá, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-cù (“moon”) + *kpá, equivalent to o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣù (“to be round”) + pá. pá could perhaps refer to the shining of the moon or the clearness of the moon when it is full. Compare with Yoruba oṣù

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òṣùpáview map

òcùCONNOTATIONỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́òshùkpáCONNOTATIONỌ̀húnbẹ́òṣùpáCONNOTATIONOnigboloòshùkpáCONNOTATIONKétu/ÀnàgóÌláráòṣùpáCONNOTATIONÌdọ̀fàòṣùpáCONNOTATIONÌmẹ̀kọòṣùpáCONNOTATIONÌwòyè KétuòṣùpáCONNOTATIONKétuòshùkpáCONNOTATIONIfɛ̀AkpáréòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONAtakpamɛòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONBokoòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONEst-MonoòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONMoretanòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONTchettiòtsùkpáCONNOTATIONMɔ̄kɔ́léKandicukpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONKpɛdɛcukpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONNorthern NagoKamboleòsùkpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONManigriòsùkpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONSouthern NagoÌsakétéòshùkpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONÌfànyìnòshùkpáCONNOTATIONCONNOTATIONOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaochukuáCONNOTATIONNote: 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


onigbameji

/ō.nĩ́.ɡ͡bá.mé.d͡ʒì/

From oní- (“owner of”) + igbá (“calabash”) + méjì (“two”), literally “Bearer of two calabashes”
* The picture painted by this term is of someone holding a calabash to contain vomit and another for stool; the two symptoms of cholera.


eguru

sandstone, a generic name for any type of sedimentary rock

erégúrù

"on top of sandstone," a house or location built on sandstone


awọsanma

àwọsánmà (canonical)
àwọ̀sánmà (canonical)

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ̀ (“to wear”) + sánmà (“sky”), literally “Covering of the sky”.


owusuwusu

From ò- + wúsúwusù, ultimately deriving from an ideophone sense.

òwúsúwusù ú gba gbogbo ojú ọ̀run

ọkùnrin alárèékérekèé fẹ́ẹ́ fi òwúsúwusù bò wá lójú

The cunning man wanted to use wool to cover our face

(idiomatic, by extension) something that is used to cover one's face or a surface; wool


warakaṣi

*From wàrà (“milk”) + kàṣì (“to become sour, to mold, to become stale”), "Sour milk."

wagasi, cow's milk cheese made by the Fulani people.


oolu

Contraction of òlìlù, from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lílù (“partial reduplication of lù to beat”)


ikuukuu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kùukùu (“of an entity being opaque or cloudy”), compare with kùrukùru (“fog, mist”).


midinmiidin

/mĩ̄.dĩ̄.mĩ́ĩ̀.dĩ̀/


ẹlẹrindodo

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.ɾĩ̀.dò.dò/


ajilẹ

/ā.d͡ʒí.lɛ̀/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jí (“to wake, to revive”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “One that revives the land”.


pẹẹni

/k͡pɛ́ɛ̀.nì/


pẹẹni

/k͡pɛ́ɛ̀.nì/


atipo

mo ń ṣe àtìpó nù ilẹ̀ àjèjì

Àtìpó

A nickname for one who sojourns, a Yoruba surname


ẹmu

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


takada

From Hausa takàr̃dā, from a Berber language. From Arabic قِرْطَاس (qirṭās), from Aramaic קַרְטֵיסָא / ܩܪܛܝܣܐ (qarṭīsā), from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs). Compare with Nupe tákàda and Zarma takàrda. Doublet of ṣáàtì and káàdì.

der

Aramaic קַרְטֵיסָא


duniyan

From Hausa dūniyā̀ (“world”), from Arabic دُنْيَا (dunyā).


kanafuru

Ultimately from Arabic قَرَنْفُل (qaranful), via a language on the trans-Saharan trade routes.


opitan

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to do, to tell”) + ìtàn (“story, history”), literally “The one who tells a story”


ijala

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + já (“to break, to strike”) + lá (“big, large”), literally “That which is a powerful strike”

A traditional form of oral Yoruba poetry and chants performed by hunters, often praising the orisha Ogun


ijapa

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jàpá (“the motion of one moving awkwardly”, ideophone), literally “That which moves around awkwardly”.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìjàpáview map

alábahunSWAPÌgbómìnàÌfẹ́lódùn LGAìjàpáSWAPÌrẹ́pọ̀dùn LGAalábaunSWAPÌsin LGAìjàpáSWAPÌlọrinÌlọrinìjàpáSWAP

áwìrìSWAPỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ògìdánSWAPOnigboloagidanSWAPKétu/ÀnàgóKétuògìdánSWAPIfɛ̀Akpáréègìɖã́SWAPAtakpamɛègìɖã́SWAPBokoègìdã́SWAPEst-Monoègìɖã́SWAPMoretanògìdã́SWAPTchettiègìɖã́SWAPKuraAwotébiahaowoSWAPSWAPPartagoabãõSWAPSWAPMɔ̄kɔ́léKandibaawɔ̃SWAPSWAPNorthern NagoKamboleàjàkpáSWAPSWAPManigriògìdã́SWAPSWAPNote: 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


iremọje

/ì.ɾè.mɔ̃̀.d͡ʒé/

A form of Yoruba traditional oral poetry and rites performed at the night of the funeral of a great hunter by worshippers of the orisha Ògún.


gọgọ

Possibly of a similar origin with Igala àbọ̀gọ́lí, see gọ́

fruit plucker, a long stick with metal cutter at its end used to pluck fruit


pagidende

Onomatopoeic, from the sounds of drums played during the dancing

(Ekiti) A traditional funeral dance and rite performed 8 days after the burial of a person.


ujaamẹṣẹ

/ù.d͡ʒāā.mɛ̀.ʃɛ̀/

From ùja + ìmẹ̀ṣẹ̀, ultimately from ùja (“chanting, chant”) + àri (“without”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìṣẹ̀ (“origin, source”), literally “The chants that we do not know the origin of”.

compound

ùja + ìmẹ̀ṣẹ̀

affix

(Ekiti) A form of Yoruba oral poetry and chanting performed by the Ekiti people of the Ido-Osi local government in honor of the deity Ọlụ́a.


ẹkun-iyawo

From ẹkún ìyàwó (“Wailing of the bride”).

A form of traditional Yoruba oral poetry characterized by the singing of a bride during marital rites


iyẹrẹ Ifa

/ì.jɛ̀.ɾɛ̀ ī.fá/

A form of Yoruba oral poetry and chanting performed for the worship and praise of Ifá.


iwaju

From iwá (“front”) + ojú (“face”). Compare with Ifè iwádzú, Olukumi úgwázú, Itsekiri ugwájú, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ-gʷájú, from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ-gʷájú


apiiri

/à.k͡píì.ɾì/

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + píìrì (“pípìrì drum”), literally “The one that consists of the pípìrì drum”

(Ekiti) A form of Ekiti music and drum rhythm through the playing of the pípìrì drum.


ẹsa

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sà (“to extol”).

af

akéwì ń pe ẹ̀sà

A genre of oríkì poetry performed by worshippers of the Egúngún consisting of chanting and invocation of the spirit of the Egúngún.


oyiya

ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yíyà (“partial reduplication of yà "to comb"”)


gaari

Likely a borrowing from Baatonum gaari; compare with Moore gaare, Dagbani gali, Gourmanchéma gaali


ọniyan

/ɔ̀.nĩ̀.jɔ̃̀/

Cognates with Yoruba ènìyàn, Ede Idaca ọ̀nìyàn


ogẹsinlẹṣin

head

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

yo-pos

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

yo-noun

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

ògẹṣinlẹ́ṣin

/ò.ɡɛ̄.ʃĩ̄.lɛ́.ʃĩ̄/

starling, Poeoptera lugubris, Narrow tailed starling


parapandu

(Caprimulgus vexillarius), pennant-winged nightjar


oriki

From orí + kíkì, ultimately from orí (“head, destiny, conscience”) + kì (“to recite, praise”), literally “The act of praising one's existence”.

compound

This form of oriki is known as oríkì jáǹtìrẹrẹ, and are normally chanted or sang.

Oríkì ní ó gbajúmọ̀ jù nínú gbogbo ohùn-ẹnu Yorùbá

Oriki is the most popular of the Yoruba oral poetic genres

A form of Yoruba oral praise poetry, (ewì), it is characterized by long epithets praising and acknowledging the traits, accomplishments, and or attributes a specific person, family or lineage, town, animal, òrìṣà, subethnic group etc.

It is often given by one's grandmother or older relative, similar to a cognomen. These often are informal and not part of the official name of a person.

a kì í pe orúkọ ẹni k'á báni wí; a kì í porúkọ odò k'ódò gbéni lọ; bẹ́ẹ̀ náà ni a kì í sọ oríkì ọmọ kínúu rẹ̀ má yọ̀ síni
We do not call someone's name and begin to reprimand him; we do not cite the name of a river and get drowned by it; similarly we do not recite the praise name of a child and he does not rejoice at it (proverb on the importance of an oríkì name)

A class of Yoruba names, this form of oriki known as oríkì ṣókí, it consists of short single Yoruba praise names or nicknames.


alapaandẹdẹ

head

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

yo-pos

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

yo-noun

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀

Compare with Igala ákpádedè, Ebira onyokpadede,

swallow, specifically the Ethiopian swallow (Hirundo aethiopica)


aṣanwewe

àṣáǹwéwé (canonical)
àṣáńwewé (canonical)

From àṣá (“hawk, kite”) + ǹ + wé (“to wrap”) + ewé (“leaf, plant”), literally “The kite is wrapping leaves”, perhaps referring to its nesting behaviors

compound

kite, (in particular) African Cuckoo-Hawk


alagoogo

/ā.lá.ɡòó.ɡó/

Perhaps from oní- (“one who has”) + àgógó (“beak”), literally “one who is characterized by its beak”

af

oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, yellow billed oxpecker


ogongo

/ò.ɡò.ŋ̀.ɡò/

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gòǹgò (“a physical entity being huge”).


kolekole

Crinifer piscator
Crinifer piscator#Translingual

Crinifer piscator (western plantain-eater)


kolekole

Reduplication of kólé (“to gather (the contents) of a house, to rob a house”, literally “One who robs a house”)


ragoliisi

/ɾá.ɡó.líì.sì/

1980s-1990s, from the name of a Nigerian spring water and bottle water company, Ragolis Waters Limited founded in 1981, known for circulating the first widespread bottled water in Nigeria, likely of French origin.

(genericized trademark) plastic water bottle, bottle, plastic


ile awoṣifila

head

ilé àwòṣífìlà

ilé àwòṣífìlà

yo-pos

ilé àwòṣífìlà

ilé àwòṣífìlà

yo-noun

ilé àwòṣífìlà

ilé àwòṣífìlà

ilé (“house,building”) + a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wò (“to look”) + ṣí (“to open, to fall off”) + fìlà (“hat”), literally “The building that when we look up to see it, our hat falls off”


olulu

Centropus senegalensis
Centropus senegalensis#Translingual


uderegbe

/ù.dé.ɾè.ɡ͡bè/

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


alatagba

Falco cuvierii
Falco cuvierii#Translingual


tẹlifiṣọn

/tɛ̄.lī.fí.ʃɔ̃̀/


ẹlulu

Alternative form of ẹ̀lúùlú (“Senegal coucal”)


agbigbo

/à.ɡ͡bì.ɡ͡bò/

The african grey hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus


ideegbe

/ì.déè.ɡ͡bè/


lekeleke

Likely ideophonic, compare with Igbo chekeleke

Bubulcus ibis
Bubulcus ibis#Translingual


olongo

/ō.lō.ŋ̄.ɡō/

orange-cheeked waxbill (Estrilda melpoda)

red-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala)


ideregbe

/ì.dé.ɾè.ɡ͡bè/

Likely cognate with Edo odegbe, Itsekiri ekerégbè, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ì-dérègbè


aluko

Compare with Igala ùlòkò (“Crested malimbe”)

Tauraco macrorhynchus
Tauraco macrorhynchus#Translingual

yellow billed turaco (Tauraco macrorhynchus)


obeje

the Yoruba alphabet of the ajami script (as adapted for writing Yoruba).


ẹrọ amohunmaworan

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ā.mó.hũ̀.má.wò.ɾã́/

ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + mú (“bring”) + ohùn (“sound”) + mú (“bring”) + àwòrán (“image”), "Machine that produces sound and image."


laada

(Islam) the belief that every that every good action attracts reward from Allah.


wadowado

Reduplication of wá odò (“search river”). Literally, river searcher.


ẹyun

ẹ- (“agent prefix”) + yún (“to itch, to scratch”), literally “That which is itchy”


jẹjẹrẹ

/d͡ʒɛ̄.d͡ʒɛ̄.ɾɛ̄/

Noun sense is derived from ideophone sense


kewu

Perhaps from Baatonum kéù (“teaching, studying”)


imọ ijinlẹ

head

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

yo-pos

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

yo-noun

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

/ì.mɔ̃̀ ì.d͡ʒĩ̀.lɛ̀/

From ìmọ̀ + ìjìnlẹ̀, literally “deep or profound knowledge”.


ẹkọ

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ́ (“to learn; to teach”)


ẹkọ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹ̀kọview map


agodongbo

/ā.ɡó.dó.ŋ́.ɡ͡bó/


akẹkọọ

/ā.kɛ́.kɔ̀ɔ́/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kọ́ (“to learn”) + ẹ̀kọ́ (“lesson, teaching, education”), hence "one who learns (via teaching)."


epiya

tilapia, (in particular) Nile tilapia and Oreochromis aureus


jẹlesinmi

/d͡ʒɛ́.lé.sĩ̄.mĩ̄/

Alternative form of jẹ́léósinmi (“nursery, kindergarten”)


ekura

a species of large fish, usually identified as a swordfish or barracuda


timitimi

Alternative form of tìmùtìmù (“mattress, pillow”)


jẹleosinmi

/d͡ʒɛ́.lé.ó.sĩ̄.mĩ̄/

From jẹ́ (“let”) + ilé (“house”) + ó (“will”) + sinmi (“to rest”), literally “let the house rest”.

compound

(idiomatic) nursery, kindergarten, pre-school, nursery school


arun rọmọlaparọmọlẹsẹ

head

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

yo-pos

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

yo-noun

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

àrùn rọmọlápárọmọlẹ́sẹ̀

/à.ɾũ̀ ɾɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lá.k͡pá.ɾɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lɛ́.sɛ̀/

From àrùn (“disease”) + rọ (“to paralyze, to cripple”) + ọmọ (“child”) + ní (“in”) + apá (“arm”) + rọ (“to paralyze, to cripple”) + ọmọ (“child”) + ní (“in”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”), literally “Disease that cripples both the arms and feet of the child”.


ọsijin

/ɔ́.sí.d͡ʒĩ̀/

oxygen (chemical element, O, atomical number 8)


niturojini

/nĩ́.tú.ɾó.d͡ʒí.nĩ̀/

nitrogen (chemical element, N, atomical number 7)


ọlẹ

From ọ- (“agent prefix”) + lẹ̀ (“to reproduce”).


ọlẹ

ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lẹ (“to be idle, to be lazy”)


olukọ

From olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + kọ́ (“to teach”), literally “the one who teaches”.

Màmá mi kì í ṣe olùkọ.

Mo gbọ́ pé ẹ jẹ́ olùkọ́ ní Yunifásítì ti Ìbàdàn, ẹ sì ní ọmọ márùnún pẹ̀lú ọ̀kọ̀ yín.

1993 November 24, Antonia Yétúndé Fọlárìn Schleicher, Jẹ́ K'Á Sọ Yorùbá [Let's Speak Yoruba], Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 257:

I heard that you're a professor at the University of Ibadan and that you have five children with your husband.


ẹjẹ

Cognates include Igala ẹ̀bìẹ̀, ultimately proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-byɛ̀, equivalent *ɛ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *byɛ̀. Compare Nupe egyà

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹ̀jẹ̀view map

amaráABIDERỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDEROnigboloɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDERKétu/ÀnàgóKétuɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDERIfɛ̀Akpáréàm̀baraABIDERAtakpamɛàm̀baraABIDERBokoàm̀baraABIDEREst-MonoàmbaraABIDERMoretanàm̀baraABIDERTchettiàmbaraABIDERKuraAledjo-Kouraejɛ́ABIDERABIDERAwotébiejɛ́ABIDERABIDERPartagoejɛ́ABIDERABIDERMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiǹjɛ̀ABIDERABIDERNorthern NagoKamboleɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDERManigriɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDERSouthern NagoÌsakétéɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDERÌfànyìnɛ̀jɛ̀ABIDEROverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaejeABIDERNote: 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


ijimere

/ì.d͡ʒí.mè.ɾè/

compound

ìjí + mọ + èrè

Erythrocebus patas
Erythrocebus patas#Translingual


iṣẹju-aaya

/ì.ʃɛ́.d͡ʒú.àá.já/

From ìṣẹ́jú (“minute”) + àáyá (“the green monkey, Chlorocebus sabaeus, known for its speed”).


eṣi

Cognate with Igala èchí, perhaps a false cognate with Igbo echi (“tomorrow”)


ọwaara

precipitation, rain showers, sudden showers of rain


ẹrọ ayarabiaṣa

head

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

yo-pos

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

yo-noun

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

ẹ̀rọ ayárabíàṣá

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ā.já.ɾā.bí.à.ʃá/

From ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + a (“one who, that which is”) + yára (“to be fast”) + bí (“as, like”) + àṣá (“hawk”), literally “The machine as fast as a hawk”.


ayinrin

→ Ayere: ayinrin


ayinrin

A carnivorous animal similar to the fox that preys on fowl.


ẹrọ

ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ (“to manufacture using metal”), literally “That which is manufactured using metal”

ẹ̀rọ ìṣirò

calculator, mathematical computing device


ẹrọ gbohungbohun

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ɡ͡bō.hũ̀.ɡ͡bō.hũ̀/

Reduplication of gbohùn (“to amplify a sound/voice”).


ẹrọ amuletutu

ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + a (“one who”) + mú (“to have an affect on”) + ilé (“house, home”) + tutù (“cool”), literally “Machine that cools the home”


ẹrọ asọrọmagbesi

head

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

yo-pos

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

yo-noun

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ā.sɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.má.ɡ͡bè.sì/

From ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + a (“one who”) + sọ̀rọ̀ (“to talk”) + má (“do not”) + gbà (“to receive”) + èsì (“response”), literally “Machine that talks but does not receive a respond”.


ẹrọ agbeniroke

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ā.ɡ͡bé.nĩ̄.ɾò.kè/

From ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + gbé (“to carry”) + ẹni (“person”) + rè (“to go”) + òkè (“top”), literally “Machine that carries a person to the top”.


atimọle

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tì (“to lock”) + mọ́ (“into”) + ilé (“house; building”).

solitary confinement
solitary confinement

prison, detention centre, solitary confinement


idunaadura

/ì.dú.nã̀ã́.dú.ɾà/

ì (“nominalizing prefix”) + dúnàádúrà (“to bargain, to negotiate”)


erongba

/è.ɾò.ŋ̀.ɡ͡bà/


inagijẹ

/ì.nã̄.ɡī.d͡ʒɛ̄/

Ṣàngó jẹ́ ìnagijẹ Aláàfin Ṣàngó ti Ọ̀yọ́, orúkọ àbísọ rẹ jẹ́ Arábam̄bí

The name Shango was a nickname of Shango the Alaafin of Oyo, his birth name was Arabambi

nickname, alias, a class of Yoruba names normally acquired later in life.


otente

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + téńté (“of an entity being located at the apex or climax”).


idije

/ì.dí.ꜜd͡ʒē/

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + da (“to organize”) + ìje (“race”)


alumọkọrọyi

head

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

yo-pos

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

yo-noun

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

àlùmọ̀kọ́rọ́yí

/à.lù.mɔ̃̀.kɔ́.ɾɔ́.jí/

Borrowed from Arabic مَكْرُوه (makrūh), with a fused definite article.


ọda

ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to be scarce”)


ọda

ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dà (“to pour”)


otitọ

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + títọ́ (“reduplication of tọ́ (“to be true”)”), literally “That which is true”

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òtítọ́view map

òítọ́FALSE FRIENDOlùkùmiUgbódùọfọ̀tàFALSE FRIENDProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìọ̀tị́tọ́FALSE FRIEND

ọ̀ị́tọ́FALSE FRIENDMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìọ̀tị́tọ́FALSE FRIEND

ọ̀ị́tọ́FALSE FRIENDIfẹ̀Ilé Ifẹ̀ọ̀títọ́FALSE FRIENDNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàòtítọ́FALSE FRIEND

òótọ́FALSE FRIENDÌwéré Iléòtítọ́FALSE FRIEND

òótọ́FALSE FRIENDStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàòtítọ́FALSE FRIEND

Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàòtítɔ́FALSE FRIEND

èyítɔ́FALSE FRIENDIfɛ̀Akpáréòtítɔ́FALSE FRIENDAtakpamɛòtítɔ́FALSE FRIENDTchettiòtítɔ́FALSE FRIENDNote: 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


rogbodiyan

/ɾò.ɡ͡bò.dì.jã̀/


wolii

Borrowed from Hausa wàlî, ultimately from Arabic وَلِيّ (waliyy).


pọnun

Alternative form of pọ́n-ùn (“pound sterling, pound”)


wundia

Likely derived from Baatonum wɔndiɑ (“young woman”), compare with Zarma wandiya, Gourmanchéma wóndíáli (“virgin, virginity, hymen”), and Dendi wɔndiɑ. Displaced ọbuntun


gbedegbeyọ

/ɡ͡bé.dè.ɡ͡bé.jɔ̀/

gbọ́ (“to understand”) + èdè (“language, one's native dialect”) + gbọ́ (“to understand”) + ẹ̀yọ̀ (“Ẹ̀yọ̀ cultic language (which is almost unintelligible to Yoruba)”)

compound

interpreter, translator, a fluent speaker of a language, bilingual


ẹnu

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-lʊ̃ or Proto-Yoruboid *á-rʊ̃ã. Cognates include Ifè arũ, Itsekiri arun, Igbo ọnụ (“mouth”), Igala álu (“mouth”), Ayere anu, Àhàn arũ, Akpes onu, Arigidi orũ, and Ewe nu (“mouth”)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹnuview map

ẹruABERUNCATEẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaẹrunABERUNCATEẸ̀gbádòÌjàkáẹnuABERUNCATEÈkóÈkóẹnuABERUNCATEÌbàdànÌbàdànẹnuABERUNCATEÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboẹnuABERUNCATEÌgbómìnàÌfẹ́lódùn LGAarunABERUNCATEÌrẹ́pọ̀dùn LGAẹnuABERUNCATEÌsin LGAẹnuABERUNCATEÌlọrinÌlọrinẹnuABERUNCATEOǹkóÒtùẹnuABERUNCATEÌwéré IléẹnuABERUNCATEÒkèhòẹnuABERUNCATEÌsẹ́yìnẹnuABERUNCATEṢakíẹnuABERUNCATETedéẹnuABERUNCATEÌgbẹ́tìẹnuABERUNCATEỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ẹnuABERUNCATEStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàẹnuABERUNCATEBɛ̀nɛ̀ɛnuABERUNCATENortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaarunABERUNCATEEde Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodeanuABERUNCATECábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́anuABERUNCATETchaourouanuABERUNCATEÌcàBantèanuABERUNCATEÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔrunABERUNCATEỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ɛnuABERUNCATEOnigboloɛnuABERUNCATEKétu/ÀnàgóKétuɛnuABERUNCATEIfɛ̀AkpáréarũABERUNCATEAtakpamɛarũABERUNCATEBokoɔrũABERUNCATEMoretanarũABERUNCATETchettiarũABERUNCATEKuraAwotébiánɔ́ABERUNCATEABERUNCATEPartagoanɔABERUNCATEABERUNCATEMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiɡɛ́léABERUNCATENorthern NagoKamboleanuABERUNCATEABERUNCATEManigrianuABERUNCATEABERUNCATESouthern NagoÌsakétéɛnuABERUNCATEABERUNCATEÌfànyìnɛnuABERUNCATEABERUNCATEOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaenuABERUNCATENote: 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


ọdun

Cognate with Ifè ɔɖɔ̃́, Igala ọ́dọ́ and Itsekiri ọdọ́n, proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ-dʊ̃́

ọdún ó yabo o!

wọ́n máa ń ṣe ọdún Igogo nílùú Ọ̀wọ̀ lọ́dọọdún láti ṣe ìrántí òrìṣà Ọ̀rọnṣẹ̀n tó jẹ́ aya Ọlọ́wọ̀ Rẹ̀nrẹ̀ngẹnjẹ̀n nígbà ìwásẹ̀

They hold the Igogo festival every year in remembrance of the deity Oronsen, who was the wife of King Renrengenjen in the past

festival, festivity, celebration, holiday


Ọlọfin

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ꜜfĩ̄/

From oní- (“owner of”) + ọ̀fin (“palace”), literally “Owner of the palace”, compare with Aláàfin


saraa

From Arabic صَدَقَة (ṣadaqa), perhaps through Hausa sadakā̀, compare with sádákà; or from Arabic زَكَاة (zakāh).


ọgbẹri

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɛ̀.ɾì/


erekuṣu

/ē.ɾé.kù.ʃù/


poporo

Noun sense derives from the ideophone sense

stalk of a plant, (in particular) cornstalk


takasufee

From tàka (“to snap”) + súfèé (“to whistle”).

beatboxing, hip-hop music, rap music, pop music


ẹdọforo

/ɛ̀.dɔ̀.fó.ɾó/

From ẹ̀dọ̀ (“liver”) + fóró (“the act of a light substance rushing in and out”).


ijalọ

/ì.d͡ʒà.lɔ̄/

From ìjà (“fighting”) + lọ (“going, traveling”).

affix

army ant or driver ant, such as those in the genus Dorylus


kindinrin

/kĩ́.dĩ̀.ɾĩ́/


abuubutan

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bù (“to dip out”) + àì- (“negating prefix”) + bù (“to dip out”) + tán (“to finish”), literally “scooping out without finish”


ilera

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + le (“to be firm”) + ara (“body”).


sobiya

Kí sòbìyà yóò bá dègbò, olúgàǹbe là á ké sí

Before guinea worm becomes a sore, it is the oluganbe plant that we will call too (proverb on tackling an issue before it gets out of hand)

(pathology, medicine) Guinea worm disease, dracunculiasis


ikin

The ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀ and ẹ̀rìndínlógún both serve similar purposes, with the ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀ being used for less formal situations and the ẹ̀rìndínlógún being used by aborisha that are not initiated into Ifá.

sacred palm nuts that are used as divination tools in the consulting of Ifa by babalawos. The using of the ikin is reserved for highly important ceremonies (such as during a Àkọsẹ̀jayé) and is how priests determine the signature of an odù Ifá.

Ṣọ́kinlójú

A Yoruba chieftancy title whose responsibility it is to keeps a close watch on the ikin


orooro

Cognate with Igala òlólò, Olukumi rírorò

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òróòroview map

òróǹroABECEDARYEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpáréòróòròABECEDARYAtakpamɛòróòròABECEDARYEst-MonoòróòròABECEDARYTchettiòróòròABECEDARYNote: 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


ọgba

wọ́n ra ọgbà yí oko náà ká

(by extension) a fenced enclosure, garden, park


ọgba

àsákú ni tọgbá

The act of running and suddenly stopping is that of the ogba snake

a type of yellow or brown non-venomous snake


digbolugi

From di ìgbò lu igi (“To collide into a standing tree (in reference to the erratic behavior of animals with rabies)”).


ọmọlanke

→ Hausa: amālanke

→ English: omolanke

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lā.ŋ̄.kē/


alupupu

From a- (“agent prefix”) + lù (“to beat”) + pùpù (“onomatopoeia”).


gbọfungbọfun

/ɡ͡bɔ̀.fũ̄.ɡ͡bɔ̀.fũ̄/

Any form of pneumonitis or respiratory illness, such as whooping cough, pertussis, bronchitis.


ẹjẹ riru

/ɛ̀.d͡ʒɛ̀ ɾí.ɾū/

From ẹ̀jẹ̀ (“blood”) + ríru (“swelling”).


akunwọsilẹ

head

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

yo-pos

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

yo-noun

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

àkúnwọ́sílẹ̀

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kún (“to fill”) + wọ́ (“to fall, to drizzle”) + sílẹ̀ (“to the ground”), literally “That which fills and then begins to drizzle over”


iwuri

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wú (“to swell”) + orí (“head”), literally “To cause one's head to swell (in encouragement and pride)”


ifẹhonuhan

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“to use”) + ẹ̀hónú (“grievance, complaint, concern”) + hàn (“to show”), literally “The act of expressing one's grievances”


ipilẹṣẹ

/ì.k͡pī.lɛ̀.ʃɛ̀/

From ìpilẹ̀ (“base, root”) + ṣẹ̀ (“to originate”), ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to open”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, starting point”).

af

èdè Yorùbá jẹ́ ìpilẹ̀sẹ̀ àṣà Yorùbá

The Yoruba language is the foundation of the Yoruba culture


ajao

Perhaps from à- + jà + wò, its ability to fly often has it mistaken for a bird or the bat among Yoruba speakers

Àjàò, kò ṣe eku kò ṣe ẹyẹ

The flying mammal, it's not a rat and yet it's not a bird

rodents known as anomalures, (specifically) two species of rodent in genus Anomalurus that occur in Nigeria, Beecroft's flying squirrel (Anomalurus beecrofti) and Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus derbianus), not closely related to the better-known group of flying squirrels of the Sciuridae (squirrel) family


ulẹ

Cognates with Igala ìlẹ̀ (people, mankind), Yoruba ilẹ̀ (earth)


Ọjọru

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́.ɾú/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rú (“to disrupt, to upend”), literally “Day of confusion”.


Ọjọbọ

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́.bɔ̀/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + bọ̀ (“to come, to arrive”), literally “Day has arrived or Day of arrival”.


ọjọ Iṣẹgun

head

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

yo-pos

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

yo-noun

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ ì.ʃɛ́.ɡũ̄/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + ìṣẹ́gun (“victory”), literally “Day of victory”.


ọjọ Abamẹta

head

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

yo-pos

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

yo-noun

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ à.bá.mɛ́.tā/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + àbá (“idea, suggestion”) + mẹ́ta (“three”), literally “Day of three resolutions”.


ọjọ Aiku

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ à.ì.kú/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + àì- (“negation suffix”) + kú (“to die”), literally “Day of Immortality”.


ọjọ Ẹti

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ ɛ̄.tì/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + ẹtì (“impossibility, difficulty”), literally “Day of impossibility, Day of controversy”.


ọjọ Aje

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ ā.d͡ʒé/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + ajé (“economic success, trade”), literally “The day of economic success”.


ọsẹ

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ifá

second day in the traditional 4-day Yoruba week

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

fourth and final day in the traditional 4-day Yoruba week

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

first day in the traditional 4-day Yoruba week

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ògún

third day in the traditional 4-day Yoruba week

day of the week in the traditional Yoruba 4-day week


ọsẹ

Adé á pẹ́ nórí, bàtà á pẹ́ nọ́sẹ̀

May the crown last long on the head, and the shoes long on the feet


ọwun

Alternative form of ọ̀wọ̀n (“Black-necked spitting cobra”)


iyẹfun

powder, flour, sometimes specifically yam flour


irẹsi

Borrowed from English rice. Doublet of ráìsì.


arun mẹdọwu

head

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

yo-pos

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

yo-noun

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

àrùn mẹ́dọ̀wú

/à.ɾũ̀ mɛ́.dɔ̀.wú/

From àrùn (“disease”) + mú (“to make”) + ẹ̀dọ̀ (“liver”) + wú (“to swell”), literally “Disease that makes the liver swell”.


ọgbọn

From ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbọ́n (“to be wise”), compare with Nupe egbán


oogun

Likely from Contraction of ogùngùn, possibly derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-gũ̀, cognate with Igala ógwù and Igbo ọgwù

olóògùn

a supernatural man whom possess supernatural charms

ritual medicine, supernatural charms or spells, juju; sometimes used to inflict harm or death

ogbó kò lóògùn


oogun

Possibly from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gígùn (“partial reduplication of gùn "to sweat"”). Ultimately, likely derived from Proto-Yoruboid *(ò)úgwṵ̀, likely formed from *ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *gwṵ̀ (“to sweat”), cognate with Igala úgwù.


rikiṣi

Borrowed from Hausa rìkicī (“deceit, intrigue, cheat”).


anfaani

/à.ŋ̀.fàà.nĩ́/

Borrowed from Hausa anfani (“profit, to gain advantage”), cognate with Baatonum arufãani and Nupe àǹfàni.


ụgbade

/ʊ̀.ɡ͡bà.dè/

(obsolete, Àkúrẹ́) porch, balcony, veranda


miliiki gbẹrẹfu

/mĩ́.líì.kì ɡ͡bɛ̄.ɾɛ̄.fū/


baba baba

Reduplication of bàbá (“father's father”).

reduplication

paternal grandfather
paternal grandfather


baba iya

From bàbá (“father”) + ìyá (“mother”), "Mother's father".

maternal grandfather
maternal grandfather


ijọba

/ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jọba (“to rule, to govern”), ultimately from jẹ (“to be”) + ọba + [Term?] (“ruler, king”).


pẹjapẹja

/k͡pɛ̄.d͡ʒā.k͡pɛ̄.d͡ʒā/

Reduplication of pẹja (“to kill fish”), literally "fish killer".


eso ajara

/è.sō à.d͡ʒà.ɾà/

From èso (“fruit”) + àjàrà (“vine”), literally “vine fruit”.


apẹja

/ā.k͡pɛ̄.d͡ʒā/

a- (“agent prefix”) + pẹja (“to kill fish, to fish”), literally “One who fishes”


gbaguuda

/ɡ͡bá.ɡùú.dá/


rẹkorẹko

/ɾɛ́.kó.ɾɛ́.kó/

Reduplication of rẹ́kó (“to smear the penis”, literally “that which smears the penis (with sores)”)


agbẹjọro

/ā.ɡ͡bɛ̄.d͡ʒɔ́.ɾò/

From a- (agent prefix) + gbà (“to take”) + ẹjọ́ (“law”) + rò (“to think about, consider”).

affix

Agbẹjọ́rò ìjọba

lawyer, advocate, barrister, counsel, solicitor


ipolowo

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + polówó (“to proclaim”).


ẹkọ ile

/ɛ̀.kɔ́ ī.lé/


akikaragba

(Ekiti) a broken calabash, a broken plate, a badly damaged dish no longer suitable for eating.


ọmọ ile iwe

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄ ī.lé ì.wé/

From ọmọ (“child”) + ilé-ìwé (“school”), literally “School child”.


mudunmudun

Compare with Ifè mɔ̀nɔ̀mɔ́nɔ̀, ultimately of ideophonic or onomatopoeic origin.

cog

mɔ̀nɔ̀mɔ́nɔ̀

Ifè mɔ̀nɔ̀mɔ́nɔ̀

any soft internal organ or body part
(anatomy) bone marrow, marrow

any soft internal organ or body part
bone marrow, marrow

any soft internal organ or body part
(anatomy) brain

any soft internal organ or body part
brain


Kabiyesi

From Blend of kí (“shall”) + á (“we”) + bi (“to question”) + ọ́ (“you”) + ò (“negation prefix”) + sí (“to exist”), literally “There is no one who shall question you”.

blend

A term of address for royalty and kings, equivalent to the term His Majesty or Her Majesty.


upepe

(Ekiti) A bench or seat made from mud and clay attached to the floor of a traditional Ekiti home

(Ekiti) The living room or passageway of a traditional Ekiti home


ile ẹkọ

/ī.lé ɛ̀.kɔ́/


afẹmọjumọ

head

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

yo-pos

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

yo-noun

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

àfẹ̀mọ́júmọ́

/à.fɛ̀.mɔ̃́.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fẹ̀rẹ̀ (“almost”) + mọ́ (“reach”) + ojúmọ́ (“dawn”), literally “That which is almost dawn”.


ilọwọọrọ

head

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

yo-pos

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

yo-noun

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

ìlọ́wọ́ọ́rọ́

/ì.lɔ́.wɔ́ɔ́.ɾɔ́/


oniṣegun

/ō.nĩ́.ʃè.ɡũ̀/

From oní- (“owner of, one who”) + ṣe (“to do”) + òògùn (“medicine”), literally “One who does medicine”.


atẹlẹọ

/à.tɛ́.lɛ̄.ɔ́/

(Ekiti) Alternative form of àtẹ́lẹwọ́ (“palm”)


ekikanna

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́, *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́lã́

inh

*ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́


atawe

From a- (“agent prefix”) + tàwé (“to sell books”).

prefix

Atàwé ni Ọgbẹni Láwànì. Ó ngba làádà ìdá-ọrún 5 lórí ọjà-títà. Èló ni làádà rẹ lórí ọjà-títà N30,000.00

2015?, Fakinlede K, “MONEY: COMMISSION AND DISCOUNT OWÓ: LÀÁDÀ ÀT’ẸDÍNWÓ”, in Yoruba Science and Technology Encyclopedia:

Mr. Lawani sells books. He earns 5% commission on sales. How much does he earn on sales of N30,000.00?


ọgụnrụn ọọ

head

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

yo-pos

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

yo-noun

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n ọọ́

/ɔ̀.ɡʊ̃̀.ɾʊ̃̀ ɔ̄.ɔ́/

From ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀n (“neck, joint”) + ọọ́ (“hand”), literally “neck of the hand”


edidu

è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dídú (“partial reduplication of dú "to be black"”), literally “That which is black”

af

(Ekiti) Alternative form of èédú (“charcoal, coal”)


tanganran

/tã́.ɡã̄.ɾã̄/

*Onomatopoeic, from the sound which the plate makes when it is either put on concrete floor or when it breaks as a result of being dashed to the concrete floor
*Possibly from Hausa tamgaram (“glass dish”)


ọọ

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ọwọ́ (“hand”)


ọọ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-wɔ̀


irọri

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ̀ (“to be soft, to be tender, to feel at ease”) + orí (“head”), literally “That which is tender to the head”.


ipolongo

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + polon̄go (“to proclaim, to announce”)


mangoro

/má.ŋ́.ɡò.ɾò/

Borrowed from Portuguese manga, cognate with Hausa mangoro.


karọọti

/ká.ɾɔ́ɔ̀.tì/


ogiri

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ògiriview map

ìgànnáABIETINEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpáréàŋgĩrĩABIETINAtakpamɛàŋgĩrĩABIETINEst-MonoàŋgĩrĩABIETINTchettiàŋgĩrĩABIETINNote: 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


ogiri

Fermented egusi seeds used as a seasoning in soups and stews

A soup made from fermented and cooked egusi seeds


turari

From Hausa tùrā̀rē, cognate with Chakali túlààdí.

Commiphora myrrha
Commiphora myrrha#Translingual

the trees Commiphora africana and Commiphora myrrha, of which their dried sap is used to make myrrh


tawe-tawe

Kò pẹ́ kò jìnnà, ìlú Antwerp ti ọ̀rúndún kẹrìndínlógún wá di ilé fún àwọn òǹtẹ̀wé, òǹṣèwé, àtàwọn tàwétàwé tí iye wọ́n jẹ́ igba ó lé mọ́kànléláàádọ́rin [271]

2002?, “Ibi Ìsádi Fún Títẹ Bíbélì”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

Before long, 16th-century Antwerp was the home of 271 printers, publishers, and booksellers.


ẹlẹha

oní (“owner of, one has”) + ẹ̀ (“nominalizing prefix”) + hà (“to be hidden, to be locked away”), "One who is hidden."


atumọ-ede

From atúmọ̀ (“one that interprets or defines utterances”) + èdè (“language”), literally “one that gives the meanings of languages”.

compound

Ẹ sí ìwé atúmọ̀-èdè yín.


ọrọ-orukọ

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ō.ɾú.kɔ̄/

From ọ̀rọ̀ (“word”) + orúkọ (“name”), literally “naming word”.

Àpètúnpè ọ̀rọ̀-orúkọ

Lédè Hébérù, ọ̀rọ̀ orúkọ tí a túmọ̀ sí “èéhù” tọ́ka sí ‘ohun tó rú, ọ̀mùnú, tàbí ẹ̀ka.’

(Can we date this quote?), “Jèhófà Ọlọ́run Ṣàánú Àṣẹ́kù Kan”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

The Hebrew noun rendered “sprout” refers to ‘that which springs up, a shoot, a branch.’


adagba

(Ekiti) a wide shallow pan or pot, used for frying foods like akara


ọla

From ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to be rich”), cognate with Igala ùrà


ọla

Ọ̀la

name given to a child born after one called Òní


baọlọji

/bà.ɔ́.lɔ́.d͡ʒì/

Àwọn sáyẹ́ǹsì-bàọ́lọ́jì


afara oyin

/ā.fá.ɾá ō.jĩ̄/


ọpọlọ okun

head

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

yo-pos

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

yo-noun

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ òkun

/ɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.lɔ́ ò.kũ̄/

From ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ (“toad”) + òkun (“sea”). Literally ‘‘sea toad’’.


ọna

A prefix used in Yoruba given names and surnames.


ọna

Possibly from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + nà (“to extend, to stretch out”), cognate with Igala ọ̀ọ́nà


ọna

(Ketu) Alternative form of àná (“yesterday”)


ọkada

1990s, from the now defunct Nigerian airline, Okada Air, nicknamed so because they could maneuver through the heavy traffic of Lagos and take passengers to their destinations in a timely manner, in the same way as the airline. Term originates from the Ẹ̀dó town of Okada.


ọpẹ-oyinbo

head

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

yo-pos

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

yo-noun

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

ọ̀pẹ̀-òyìnbó

ọ̀pẹ̀ (“palm tree”) + òyìnbó (“European”), literally “palm from the Europeans”.


gbolohun

From gbó (“to de developed”) + ní (“in”) + ohùn (“sound”)


mariwo

→ Portuguese: mariô

palm frond (in particular) young unwilted palm fronds tied around the body at festivals, such as the Ọlọ́jọ́ festival, by Ògún worshippers.

raffia, (in particular) the dried fronds of the raffia palm


ọrọ-iṣe

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ì.ʃē/

From ọ̀rọ̀ (“word”) + ìṣe (“action”), literally “action word”.

Kí ni ìtumọ̀ ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sí "to meet"?

What is the meaning of the English verb, "to meet"?

Oriṣìí Ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe (Verb Types)
Oríṣìí ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe (verb) mẹ́ta ni ó wà. Àwọn náà ni aláìgbàbọ̀ (intransitive), asopọ̀ (linking) àti agbàbọ̀ (transitive).

2015 April 27, L.O. Adéwọlé, “Gírámà Gẹ̀ẹ́sì fún Àwọn Alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀ (English Grammar for Beginners) - Ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ Kejì (Second Lecture)”, in Yoruba for Academic Purpose:

Verb Types
There are three types of verbs. They are intransitive verbs, linking verbs, and transitive verbs.

Inú ọ̀rọ̀ ìṣe èdè Hébérù tó túmọ̀ sí “láti di” ni orúkọ náà, Jèhófà ti wá.

(Can we date this quote?), “Orúkọ Ọlọ́run Nínú Ìwé Mímọ́ Lédè Hébérù”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

The name Jehovah comes from a Hebrew verb that means “to become.”


ọpẹ

Cognate with Itsekiri ọkpẹ́. Compare with Gun okpɛ́, Fon kpɛ́, Saxwe Gbe ɛkpɛ́, Western Xwla Gbe ɛkpɛ́, Ewe akpé, Adja akpe


ọpẹ

Compare with Olukumi ọ̀kpẹ̀, Igala ẹ̀kpẹ̀, possibly related to Edo òkpe (“palm wine tapper”)


owo oṣu

From owó (“money”) + oṣù (“month”). Literally ‘‘month money’’.


owo ori

From owó (“money”) + orí (“head”), literally “head money”.


kọkọrọ

/kɔ́.kɔ́.ɾɔ́/


isinmi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sinmi (“to rest”).


Ileya

Likely from Hausa layya (“Eid al-Adha, sacrificing a ram”). A common folk etymology links it to ilé (“house”) + yá (“to be ready”), literally “It is time to return to the house”.


ọkanjuwa

/ɔ̀.kã́.d͡ʒú.wà/


kanwun

From Hausa kanwā, cognate with Igbo àkanwụ.

Alternative form of kán-ún (“rocksalt; potash”)

Alternative form of kán-ún (“potassium”)


ṣingọọmu

/ʃĩ̄.ɡɔ́ɔ̀.mũ̀/


akunyungba

/ā.kũ̀.jũ̀.ɡ͡bà/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kùn (“to hum, grumble”) + yùngbà (“yungba poetry”)

af

female royal court bards or poets who primarily sing the poetry form of ikin and yùngbà in entertainment and praise for the king


ojumọ

/ō.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃́/

From ojú (“surface, face”) + mọ́ (“clear”), literally “the surface (of the day) is clear”


ojoojumọ

/ō.d͡ʒōō.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃́/


ọka

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kà (“millet, sorghum”), from Proto-Volta-Niger *kà, ultimately reconstructed to Proto-Volta-Congo *-ka. Cognate with Igbo ọkà (“corn”), Yekhee ọ̀ka (“corn”), Urhobo ọ́ka (“corn”), Igala ọ́kà (“millet”), and Edo ọ́ka (“corn”), Ayere ɛkà


ọka

From ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ká (“to coil”).


ojiji

/ò.d͡ʒì.d͡ʒī/

Cognate with Igala òjìji, Ayere àyèyè, Olukumi òzìnzìn


ojiji

/ò.d͡ʒī.d͡ʒì/


ojiji

/ò.d͡ʒí.d͡ʒí/

electric eel, fish with electric properties


alaamu

Gbogbo aláàmù l'ó danú délẹ̀, a kò mọ èyí tí inú ń run.

All lizards lie down on their bellies, we do not know whose bellies ache (proverb on personal sorrow).


ami ohun

/à.mĩ̀ ō.hũ̀/

From àmì (“sign, symbol, marking”) + ohùn (“tone”).

Ẹ fi àmì ohùn s'órí "orilẹ-ede".
"Orílẹ̀-èdè": re-mí-dò-dò-dò.
Put the tone marks on the word "orilẹ-ede (country)".
"Orílẹ̀-èdè (country)": mid-high-low-low-low.

2019 November 28, “Yorùbá tone mark: Fífi àmì ohùn sí orí ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá ṣe pàtàkì. [Yoruba tone marks: Putting tone marks on Yoruba words is important.]”, in BBC Yorùbá:


afonifoji

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fo + ní + fojì


tafatafa

Reduplication of tafà, extended definition, ta (“to shoot”) + ọfà (“arrow”)


ijakadi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jàkadì (“to wrestle”)

affix

Ìjàkadì lorò Ọ̀fà


ọfa

ọ- (“non-gerundive nominalizer”) + fà (“to draw back, to pull (back)”), literally “That which is drawn”


alifabẹẹti

head

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì

yo-pos

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì

yo-noun

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì

álífábẹ́ẹ̀tì


ọkẹ

Numeral sense derived from noun sense, as one ọ̀kẹ́ (bag), contained around twenty thousand cowries.

Ọ̀kẹ́

Yoruba name, given to a child born with its amniotic sac intact via a en-caul birth

a bag, or sac, usually containing cowries


agbelebuu

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to carry”) + lé (“to place on”) + ìbú (“breadth”).


abidi

From the names of the first three letters as pronounced aloud.

mo ti kọ́ abídí i Yorùbá sí orí


eluju

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ẹ̀lùjù (“savanna, forest, wilderness”)


atorin

a type of long whip or cane, derived from the àtòrìn plant


egbigbo

/è.ɡ͡bì.ɡ͡bò/

(Ekiti) Alternative form of egbò (“root”)


dẹdẹrẹkun

head

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

yo-pos

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

yo-noun

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún

dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹkùn (canonical)
dẹ̀dẹ̀rẹ́kún (canonical)

/dɛ̀.dɛ̀.ɾɛ̄.kʊ̃̀/

/dɛ̀.dɛ̀.ɾɛ́.kʊ̃́/


Egigun

Contraction of Egúngún. Cognate with Igala Égwú.
Proposed to be a Doublet of Ògún


lukuluku

An Onomatopoeic description of the way a disease quickly strikes and kills the infected

(Ekiti) a term for extremely deadly childhood diseases, such as bird flu


igbi

Ìgbì ayé kò ní gbé wa lọ.

The wave of life shall not carry us away.


adogan

A traditional Yoruba stove or stand often used in outside cooking


aigbe

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yí (“to turn, revolve, shift”) + gbè (“to support a position”)

af

Alternative form of àyígbè (“wooden bar used for locking or barricading a door”)


agbala

From à- + gbà + lá (“to be big”), the "gbà" root likely related to ọgbà (“fence, garden”)


kereyọọnu

/kē.ɾē.jɔ́ɔ̀.nũ̀/


ẹrun

Cognate with Olukumi ẹrun, Owé Yoruba arun, Èkìtì Yoruba ẹrụn, Oǹdó Yoruba ẹun, Yoruba ẹnu, and Igbo ọ́nú, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-lʊ̃.
See Standard Yorùbá entry ẹnu for other terms used in the Yoruboid linguistic continuum.


panapana

Reduplication of paná (“to extinguish a fire”), literally "fire extinguisher".


yọyinyọyin

Reduplication of yọyín (“to extract teeth”, literally “tooth remover”)


gbẹrẹfuutu

/ɡ͡bɛ̄.ɾɛ̄.fúù.tù/


ọrọwa

a central large inward-facing, typically open roof, hall or courtyard that serves as the main connective and activity space for a dwelling.

(Ekiti) The center location of a traditional Èkìtì/Central Yorùbá home, consisting of a bathtub structure that is over an open hole in the house that collects water. Analogous to the Roman impluvium.


ogun abẹle

/ō.ɡũ̄ ā.bɛ́.lé/

ogun (“war”) + abẹ́ (“under”) + ilé (“house, home”)


ira kunnugba

/ì.ɾá kũ̀.nũ̀.ɡ͡bá/


darandaran

/dā.ɾã̄.dā.ɾã̄/

Reduplication of daran (“to herd animals”, literally “Animal herder”)


darandaran

/dá.ɾã̀.dá.ɾã̀/

Reduplication of dáràn (“to cause trouble”, literally “One who causes trouble”)


Kirisẹndọmu

/kī.ɾī.sɛ́.ŋ́.dɔ̀.mũ̀/


Deji

→ Edo: Udezi

Unclear, several folk etymologies exist. A common folk etymology claims it comes from the phrase "ọwá fadé yìí jì ọ", ultimately from ọwá (“king”) + fi (“to use”) + adé (“crown”) + yìí (“this”) + jì (“to gift, to entrust”), literally “The King gifted you a crown”.
* The title Déjì replaced the original title Àjàpadà. The story attached to this phrase comes from a future Déjì of Àkúrẹ́ being gifted a crown by his grandfather, usually attributed to the Ọwá Òbòkun (king of Ilesha Kingdom), and the title become a nickname that later developed into the title. The story of a grandfather-king giving his future king-grandson is a common story in Yorùbá folklore, see Asunkúngbadé.
Also possibly from Edo Udezi (“leopard hunter”)

compound

the title of the traditional ruler of the town of Àkúrẹ́.


kuromiọmu

/kú.ɾó.mĩ́.ɔ̃̀.mũ̀/

chromium (chemical element, Cr, atomical number 24)


fanadiọmu

vanadium (chemical element, V, atomical number 23)


abẹtẹlẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bẹ̀ (“to beg”) + tẹ́lẹ̀ (“before”), literally “prior begging”.

af

Mi ò kí ń gbàbẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀.


oṣe

The double-headed axe of the orisha Ṣàngó, often represented in statues and figurines of Ṣàngó, similar to a labrys.

Bámgbóṣé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Help me carry Ṣàngó's oṣé