ọlọyẹ

/ɔ̄.lɔ̄.jɛ́/

Possibly from olí- (“the thing that has”) + ọyẹ́ (“Harmattan”).


erewun

Eréwùn Ìjẹ̀bú ré m sọ pẹ̀lú iye mi

I speak the Ìjẹ̀bú language with my mother


gborigbo

/ɡ͡bò.ɾì.ɡ͡bò/

Cognate with Yoruba gbòǹgbò, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba egbògbò


gborigbo

/ɡ͡bò.ɾí.ɡ͡bò/


usọkusọ

From ùsọ (“saying”) + -kí- (“infix”) + ùsọ (“saying”). Compare Yoruba ìsọkúsọ


ẹdiyẹ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-dɪ̀wɛ, compare with Yoruba ẹyẹ (“bird”)


ẹduwẹ

Cognates with Yoruba adìyẹ, Olukumi ẹ́dúwẹ́


urẹn

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rẹ̀n (“to walk”). Cognate with Yoruba ìrìn


ọnọkọn

ọnọ̀kọn (canonical)
ọnọ̀kọ̀n (canonical)

/ɔ̄.nɔ̀.kɔ̃̄/

/ɔ̄.nɔ̀.kɔ̃̀/

Probably from ọni (“person”) + ọ̀kọn (“one”), cognate with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ọnùkàn and Yoruba ẹnìkan


pọpọṣinṣin

head

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

yo-pos

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

yo-noun

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

/k͡pɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.ʃĩ̀.ʃĩ̀/

A kú pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn ọdún

Season's greetings! (literally, “Greetings for the merriment of the festival”)


ẹwunrẹnkọn

head

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

yo-pos

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

yo-noun

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

/ɛ̄.wṹ.ɾɛ̃̀.kɔ̃̀/

From ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wúnrẹ̀n (“thing”) + kọ̀n (“one”).


ramuramu

/ɾā.mṹ.ɾā.mũ̀/

Kìnnìún bú ramúramù.


uyanẹrun

/ù.jà.nɛ́.ɾũ̄/

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yà nẹ́run (“to surprise”). Cognate with Yoruba ìyàlẹ́nu


iyalẹnu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yà lẹ́nu (“to surprise”). Cognate with Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba ùyànẹ́run


iwọriwọ

/ì.wɔ̀.ɾì.wɔ̀/

(Ijebu) Alternative form of èwọ̀rìwọ̀ (“smoke”)


gbau

Bọ́ǹbù bú gbàù

Òkè Nyiragongo bú gbàù


gbau

Igi dá gbáú bí igi ìṣáná

(used with dá (“to break”)) snapping; breaking suddenly


ewọriwọ

/è.wɔ̀.ɾì.wɔ̀/

From Proto-Edekiri *ɛ̀-ɣɔ̀rɪ̀ɣɔ̀. Cognates include Oǹdó Yoruba èìghọ̀, Itsekiri èghẹ̀rìghọ̀, Olukumi èghìghọ̀, Èkìtì Yoruba ẹ̀ẹ̀yọ̀

inh

*ɛ̀-ɣɔ̀rɪ̀ɣɔ̀

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - èéfínview map

òrúrɔ̀ABATEBokoòwúrɔ̀ABATEMoretanòwúrɔ̀ABATETchettiòwúrɔ̀ABATENorthern NagoKamboleòwúwɔ̀ABATEABATENote: 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


uwọn

Cognate with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba uwán, Èkìtì Yoruba ụọ́n, Ìgbómìnà Yoruba awọ́n, Yoruba ahọ́n, from proposed Proto-Yoruboid form, Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-ɓã́


uwọn

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ̀n (“to measure”). Cognate with Yoruba ìwọ̀n


ọnẹ

(SEY) crocodile, specifically the Nile crocodile.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀nìview map


ọnẹ

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-nɪ̃, Compare with Arigidi ẹ̀nẹn, Igbo onye, Igala ẹ́nẹ.

(Ikalẹ, Ondo, Ọwọ) person, human being, one

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹniview map

ẹnẹABDICATIONÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹọnẹABDICATIONProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìọnịABDICATIONÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́ọnịABDICATIONMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìọnịABDICATIONWestern ÀkókóỌ̀gbàgì ÀkókóọniABDICATIONNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàẹniABDICATIONẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaẹniABDICATIONÈkóÈkóẹniABDICATIONÌbàdànÌbàdànẹniABDICATIONÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràẹniABDICATIONÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboẹniABDICATIONÌlọrinÌlọrinẹniABDICATIONOǹkóÒtùẹniABDICATIONÌwéré IléẹniABDICATIONÒkèhòẹniABDICATIONÌsẹ́yìnẹniABDICATIONṢakíẹniABDICATIONTedéẹniABDICATIONÌgbẹ́tìẹniABDICATIONỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ẹniABDICATIONStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàẹniABDICATIONBɛ̀nɛ̀ɛniABDICATIONNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaọniABDICATIONEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔniABDICATIONIfɛ̀AkpáréɛnɛABDICATIONAtakpamɛɛnɛABDICATIONTchettiɛnɛABDICATIONKuraAledjo-KouraɛniABDICATIONABDICATIONAwotébiɛniABDICATIONABDICATIONPartagoɛniABDICATIONABDICATIONNote: 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


ajẹbu

/ā.d͡ʒɛ̀.bú/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ̀ (“to rove”) + ní (“in”) + ubú (“deep waters”), literally “the one that roves in deep waters”.


ọfọn

Cognates with Olukumi ọ̀fọ́n, Oǹdó Yoruba ọ̀fan, Yoruba ọ̀fun, Igala ọ̀fa, Ifè ɔ̀hɔ̃


Iwarẹ

From ìwà + rẹ, cognate with Edo Igharẹ, see cognates in other Yoruba-dialects, Ị̀àrẹ, Èghàrẹ, Ùwàrẹ, perhaps from the same root as ààrẹ (“leader, president”)

a high-ranking chief of a Yoruba town; a member of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà council of chiefs


eghe

No cognate term in Standard or Western Yoruba exists (or perhaps became obsolete before it could be recorded in dictionaries), it and its cognate terms have almost been completely replaced by ẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́ or ẹ̀ẹ̀kẹ́ amongst the dialects it exists in, where it is almost obsolete. Its existence however is documented in Central Yoruba and Northeast Yoruba dialects, which suggests its existence in Proto-Yoruba. See Proto-Yoruba *è-ɣe, *ì-ɣe. Cognate with Itsekiri èghemẹ


ọgẹnnẹtẹn

head

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

yo-pos

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

yo-noun

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

ọ̀gẹ̀nnẹ̀tẹ̀n

/ɔ̀.ɡɛ̃̀.nɛ̀.tɛ̃̀/


agọndọn-ọn

head

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

yo-pos

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

yo-noun

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

àgọ́ndọ̀n-ọ́n

/à.ɡɔ̃́.dɔ̃̀ɔ̃́/

dioscorea cayenensis
dioscorea cayenensis

(Ijebu) yellow yam, dioscorea cayenensis


ọkẹn

(Ijebu, Ondo) a species of small songbird with white tail feathers

Ọ̀kẹ́n wèé lẹlẹ yéye


agunrẹn

/à.ɡũ̀.ɾɛ̃̀/

A group of lower ranked palace servants, that are part of the Òdì. Existed within the courts of Rẹ́mọ and Ìjẹ̀bú royalty, with the Awùjalẹ̀ having the most complex hierarchy of the Òdì system.


alẹde

Possibly from alẹ̀ (“earth”) + dede (“all”)


awọfi

Cognates with Èkìtì Yoruba àọ̀fịn, Itsekiri àghọ̀fẹn, Oǹdó Yoruba àghọ̀fẹn, Ọ̀wọ̀ Yoruba àghọ̀fẹn, Yoruba ààfin. Likely cognate with Igala ọ́fẹ


ibọnyin

/ì.bɔ̃́.jĩ̀/

Probably cognates with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ìbàtíyàn, Ìlàjẹ Yoruba àbàtíyàn


omudẹndẹnrẹn

/ō.mũ̀.dɛ̃̄.dɛ̃̄.ɾɛ̃́/

Possibly from omù + dẹndẹnrẹ́n (“small”)


gọlugọ

/ɡɔ̀.lú.ɡɔ̀/

Describes a creature resembling ẹja panla (stockfish), which is not edible but useful to fishermen as bait.¹


omugodogbo

/ō.mũ̀.ɡò.dò.ɡ͡bò/


ẹbinẹyin

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


ọrọọrun

/ɔ̄.ɾɔ̄ɔ̄.ɾṹ/


ọgbọọgba

/ɔ̄.ɡ͡bɔ̄ɔ̄.ɡ͡bā/


ụpọnju

/ʊ̀.k͡pɔ̃̀.d͡ʒú/

ụ̀pọ̀n + ojú


gbingbin

/ɡ͡bĩ̄.ɡ͡bĩ̄/

Mo fẹ́ sá aṣọ mi síta, ṣùgbọ́n eji á rin ín gbingbin.

I wanted to dry my clothes outside, but the rain will drench them.

(of an object such as soil or clothes) soaked; saturated; drenched; soggy


gbingbin

/ɡ͡bĩ́.ɡ͡bĩ̄/

From partial reduplication of gbin (“to groan”).


gbingbin

/ɡ͡bĩ́.ɡ͡bĩ̀/

From partial reduplication of gbìn (“to plant”).

Gbíngbin igi ọ̀pẹ máa ń bu ẹwà kún àyíká.

Planting palm trees beautifies the surroundings.


atilẹyin

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tì lẹ́yìn (“to support”)


olorogu

/ō.ló.ɾó.ɡū/

From olórí (“leader”) + ogu (“war”). Cognates with Yoruba olórógun, Itsekiri olórógun


atileyin

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tì léyìn (“to support”)

af

(Ekiti) Alternative form of àtílẹ́yìn (“support”)


oluwa

From olù- (“agent prefix”) + wà (“to be; to exist”)


ubujẹrun

/ū.bù.d͡ʒɛ̄.ɾũ̄/

From ubo (“place”) + ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹrun (“to eat”)

compound

(Ijebu) place to eat, canteen, cafeteria


ubusu

From ubo (“place”) + ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sù (“to sleep”). Cognate with Yoruba ibùsùn


ubujẹ

/ū.bù.d͡ʒɛ̄/

From ubo (“place”) + ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”)


udaun

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to give”) + oùn (“voice, sound”). Cognate with Yoruba ìdáhùn


idahun

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to give”) + ohùn (“voice, sound”). Cognate with Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba ùdáùn


udẹn

Cognate with Èkìtì Yoruba ùdín, Edo údẹ́n (“palm oil ointment”), Yoruba àdín, Igala ìdí, Igbo ùde (“ointment, palm oil ointment”), Nupe èdín (“palm kernel oil”), Nupe èdĩ, and possibly related to Edo ẹdi (“nut, palm nut”), Urhobo edi, with a much deeper etymology, it is proposed to be derived from a Proto-Niger-Congo root, see Usaghade útén (“oil palm”), Ibibio adan (“oil”), and Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀téndé


ọrọ orukọ

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ ō.ɾú.kɔ̄/

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


ọrọ-ayalo

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.à.já.lò/

From ọ̀rọ̀ (“word”) + àyálò (“borrowed”).
* àyálò from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yá (“to borrow”) + lò (“to use”), literally “that which is borrowed for use”.

af

"Àdúrà" ni àpẹẹrẹ ọ̀rọ̀-àyálò lédè Yorùbá

"Àdúrà" is an example of a loanword in Yorùbá


lubulubu

Wọ́n máa ń lọ ata lúbúlúbú.


liili

hedgehog; (in particular) Four-toed hedgehog


ọkẹrẹgba

/ɔ̀.kɛ́.ɾɛ́.ɡ͡bà/

From ọ̀- + kẹ́rẹ́gbà. Many forms of the word exist in various subdialects of Ekiti, where /r/ and /l/ interchange and where ɛ becomes ɪ. Some dialects also drop the preceding vowels. See forms ọ̀kírígbà, kílígbà, ọ̀kílígbà.

ọ̀- + kẹ́rẹ́gbà


ṣoṣo

Ọ̀pá kan ṣoṣo níí lé igbaa mààkúù; òkò kan ṣoṣo níí tú igba ẹyẹ.

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting Fabunmi, M. A., “ṣoṣo”, in Àyájọ́ Ohùn Ifẹ̀ Ibadan, number LDC2008L03, 1972, Nigeria: Onibon-oje Press & Book Industries Ltd, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

It is only one wooden staff that drives two hundred cows; it is only one rock misile that disperses two hundred birds (incantation).

Ọlọ́run nìkan ṣoṣo l'ó gbọ́n, ọ̀bọ lènìyàn.

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

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


abolounjẹku

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bá (“to accompany”) + olóúnjẹ (“food owner; food seller”) + kú (“to die”), literally “one who is forever with the food vendor”.

(sometimes derogatory) glutton (one who eats voraciously)


ṣakaṣaka

Wọ́n fi àdá ṣá a ṣákaṣàka.


ṣakaṣaka

Ó sọ̀rọ̀ ṣàkàṣàkà sí mi.

(of speech) direct; assertive; plain; tactless; brusque


ọgbufọ

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bū.fɔ̀/

Alternative form of ògbufọ̀ (“translator”)


ogbufọ

/ò.ɡ͡bū.fɔ̀/

From ò- (“agent prefix”) + gbọ́ (“to understand”) + ọfọ̀ (“utterance; speech”).


itagbe

(Ijebu) shoulder piece insignia of chieftaincy


igbagba

/ì.ɡ͡bà.ɡ͡bá/

Solanum macrocarpon, a thick leafed vegetable


ẹmudo

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mú (“to catch”) + dó (“to have intercourse with”)

(Ijebu) a herbal hypnotic ring used to kidnap a woman and rape her


ẹbẹkọn

/ɛ̀.bɛ́.kɔ̃̀/

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bẹ́ (“to give birth to”) + kọ̀n (“one”)


ẹbọgu

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ́ (“to drop down”) + gù (“to climb”)

(Ijebu)


ẹgbẹn

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbẹn (“to groan”). Cognates with Yoruba ẹ̀gbin, Èkìtì Yoruba ègbin


fifu

Cognates with Itsekiri fifẹn, Yoruba funfun, Ifè fũfũ, Olukumi fúfún


ahere

Probably from Proto-Edekiri *á-ɣéré, with a systematic shift from /*ɣ/ in Proto-Yoruboid to /ɣ/ in Northeast and Southeast Yoruba dialects, and then /w/ to Central Yoruba and Northwest Yoruba dialects, with Central Yoruba dialects deleting /w/ and /w/ becoming /h/ in Northwest and Standard Yoruba. Cognate with Olukumi aghéré.


ikọ

Probably from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-kɔ́, compare with Olukumi ukọ́, Igala úkọ́, equivalent to *ú- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *kɔ́ (“to cough”), ultimately of onomatopoeic origin.


ikọ

(dipomacy) messenger; diplomat; ambassador

Ikọ̀ Nàìjíríà tún ti fakọyọ.

Nigeria's team has performed well again.


ụa

Probably ultimately from Edo ùghà or of a Proto-Edekiri origin

Èmi lọmọ a mú ogójì abẹ̀bẹ̀ yụ́à
I am the one that takes forty fans to the royal courtyard (royal oríkì from the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)

(Ekiti) palace, royal courtyard, particularly the royal courtyards of the àọ̀fịn of the Déjì of Àkúrẹ́


ụa

Fákụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "Ifa has brought celebration"

Olúkụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "The Lord has brought celebration"

Ọlọ́fị́nkụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "Ọlọ́fịn has brought celebration"

Ọ̀ṣákụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "Ọ̀rị̀ṣà has brought celebration"

Ọ̀ṣúnkụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "Osun has brought celebration"

Ògúnkụ́àdé

Yoruba name meaning "Ogun has brought celebration"


ụa

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ-ghá, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ-ghá. The term is also related to the word for rib in many Yoruboid dialects, see ùwá in Ijebu and ìghághè in Oǹdó


awawa

Cognate with Yoruba ọ̀wàwà, Yoruba ọ̀hàhà, Yoruba ọ̀fàfà, Itsekiri awàwà, Urhobo aghwaghwa


iṣa

Cognate with Igala ùchà, Olukumi ùsà, Itsekiri ùṣà, Arigidi àtʃà, possibly related to Ifè ìtsà (“gourd”) and Urhobo ochẹ. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-cà, from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-cà, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ̀-cà.

a medium-size waterpot, see àmù and orù, used to fetch water from streams


ọṣẹ

Compare with Ede Idaca ọcẹ, Ifè ɔtsɛ̃, Igala ọ́ṣẹ, Olukumi ọ̀fúfọ̀sẹ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-cɛ.


ẹkụrẹ

/ɛ̀.kʊ̀.ɾɛ́/


ẹtụpa

k'Ádó lérí sógun lárì s'Úyìn, ẹ̀tụ̀pá L'Adó gbúyèlé

If Adó goes to war without Uyìn, it is only their feet they can rely on (to run away)


akerese

Used by Èkìtì speakers mainly in Adó, Ìfàkì, and Ujù, not by speakers of the Àkúrẹ́ subdialect of Èkìtì

(Ekiti, Ọwọ) squirrel; (in particular) ground squirrel


ụmọlẹ

/ʊ̄.mɔ̃̄.lɛ̀/

From ụ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mọ (“to mold”) + alẹ̀ (“the land”), literally “Those who molded the land”, from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ-mãlɛ̀, compare with Itsekiri umalẹ̀, Olukumi ùmàlẹ́, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ-mɔlɛ̀

(Ekiti) primordial or ancestral deity; local earth spirit, traditionally associated by the Ekiti people with hills and rivers


arugbọn

/ā.ɾū.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀/

àrín éè se arugbọ̀n ayò
Arin is not on the same level of ayo


arịla

From àrì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to be rich”)


ọrịjọ

/ɔ̀.ɾɪ̀.d͡ʒɔ́/

ọ̀- + rị̀ + ịjọ́

ọmọ a korò mẹ́fa ṣe lọ́rị̀jọ́

The children that pack six rituals into one day (A praise poetry of the people of Ilara-Mokin)


ọnịyọn

/ɔ̀.nɪ̃̀.jɔ̃̀/


mugwẹmugwẹ

head

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

yo-pos

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

yo-noun

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

mùgwẹ̀mùgwẹ̀

/mũ̀.ɡʷɛ̀.mũ̀.ɡʷɛ̀/

From reduplication of mà ùgwẹ̀ (“to know swimming”).


ọnị

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-nɪ̃.


ọkụta

From Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-kʊ́ta, cognate with Igala òkwúta, Edo òkutá, Olukumi òkúta, and Igbo òkutā.


ọnịkọnị

/ɔ̄.nɪ̃̄.kɔ́.nɪ̃̄/

From ọnị (“person”) + -kí- (“infix”) + ọnị (“person”).


egbere

The mythology associated with the type of forest spirit was only certainly influenced by the ominous crying of the galago late at night

(by extension, mythology) a creature believed to live deep in the forest, wailing loudly and carrying a mat, likely influenced by the loud crying made by a bush baby/galago

(by extension, derogatory) nuisance, annoying or loud person


alamọmọ

/ā.lá.mɔ̃̀.mɔ̃̀/


ewuju

Probably from ewú (“rat”) + ijù (“jungle”)


jigijigi

/d͡ʒì.ɡì.d͡ʒì.ɡì/

Mì í jìgìjìgì kó o tó ṣí i.


ẹtịpa

(Ekiti, in the plural) Alternative form of ẹ̀tụ̀pá (“feet, footsteps”)


iwere

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


ẹrụn

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-lʊ̃ or Proto-Yoruboid *á-rʊ̃ã


yanpọnyanrin

/jã́.k͡pɔ̃̄.jã́.ɾĩ̄/


iṣoro

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣòro (“to be difficult”)


ahunṣọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + hun (“to weave”) + aṣọ (“clothes”)


aranṣọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + rán (“to sew”) + aṣọ (“clothes”).


yinrunyinrun

/jĩ́.ɾũ̀.jĩ́.ɾũ̀/

From reduplication of yín ọrùn (“twist neck”).


lọrunlọrun

head

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

yo-pos

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

yo-noun

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

lọ́rùnlọ́rùn

/lɔ́.ɾũ̀.lɔ́.ɾũ̀/

From reduplication of lọ́ ọrùn (“twist neck”).


ifiwawẹda

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“to use”) + ìwà (“character”) + wọ̀ (“to wear”) + ẹ̀dá (“creation”), literally “the act of dressing a person or creature with behavior”.


isalẹ

From ìsà (“pit, bottom”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”)


meriiiri

/mé.ꜜɾíꜜí.ɾí/

From the phrase méè rí ìyí rí (“I have not seen this before”).

Àbí, pípín ọtí bíà àti títàkurọ̀sọ pẹ̀lú ìnàkí ṣá jẹ́ oun méríìírí.

2022, “Ìjẹ́wọ́ Ìnàkí Shìnágawà Kan”, in Olongo Africa:

I mean, sharing a beer and chatting with a monkey was a pretty unusual experience in and of itself.


ọlọja

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.d͡ʒà/

For the first sense, from oní- (“one who has”) + ọjà (“town”), compare with Olukumi ọlọ́zà, for the second sense, from oní- (“one who has”) + ọjà (“market”). The semantic shift of ọjà from meaning town, village to market seems to have happened after the adoption of ọlọ́jà (king) as a title. Eventually the use of the term as king or monarch has largely been replaced historically by terms like ọwá, ọba, and baálẹ̀.

Ọlọ́jà

title of a monarch in certain Yoruba towns

market person; someone who sells at a market


ịgbị

Synonymous with ụ̀gbị̀ and used interchangeably, and probably from the same root as ìgbẹ̀, ùgbẹ̀, as the phonemes /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ are often used allophonically among speakers of the Ekiti dialect.

Ị̀gbì kí Ị̀àrẹ bá ti mị́làkị́là lọ́dún dé

The time when the Iare chiefs start to meet is when we know festival time has come


gọbi

→ Gun: gɔ̀bì, gọ̀bì

→ Fon: gɔbì


ụdagẹrẹ

/ʊ̀.dà.ɡɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

(Ekiti) slope, especially near a river or swamp


ịjakịsa

/ɪ̀.d͡ʒà.kɪ́.sà/


pọnpọndọn

/k͡pɔ̃̄.k͡pɔ̃̄.dɔ̃́/

(Ekiti) a type of wooden comb (usually three pronged) used to part hair


ogbogbo

/ò.ɡ͡bò.ɡ͡bō/


iṣẹkulumọ

/ì.ʃɛ́.kù.lù.mɔ̃́/


ibilẹ

From ìbí (“birth”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, earth, land”), literally “That which is born from the land”, from the belief that traditional customs developed from the traditional sources of towns or the land, thereby behing native

compound

traditional system, often referring to precolonial structures


ẹnịnụ

/ɛ̀.nɪ̃́.nʊ̃́/

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + nị́nụ́ (“partial reduplication of nụ́ to have mercy”), compare with Itsekiri ànìnọ́


iorio

ị̀jàkị́sà nọ́n mú jụná, ìòrìò nọ́n í jègè
It is rags that are worn during the throwing of fire ritual, but it is with nakedness that the Ègè ritual is performed


kunrungbịngbịn

/kũ̀.ɾũ̀.ɡ͡bɪ̃́.ɡ͡bɪ̃́/


ọjịjẹ

/ɔ̀.d͡ʒɪ̀.d͡ʒɛ̀/

ọ̀- + jị̀jẹ̀

(Ekiti) a moist washcloth, applied to wounds


fayawọ

From fi (“to use”) + àyà (“chest”) + wọ́ (“to crawl”).


ẹhin

(NWY) Alternative form of ẹ̀yìn (“back”)


ifọwọsowọpọ

head

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

yo-pos

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

yo-noun

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“to put”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”) + so (“to bind”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”) + pọ̀ (“together”).


ọwẹ

Táyé bẹ̀ wọ́n ní ọ̀wẹ̀ lórí iṣẹ́ ìkọ́lé ẹ̀.

Taye asked for their cooperation for his construction project.

a cooperative group for manual labor where members take turns assisting each other, typically for agricultural or construction work


ọtun

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-tʊ̃́

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀túnview map

the second-in-command of the king or a ruler; the second-in-rank in any group or collective


agụtọn

/à.ɡʊ̀.tɔ̃̀/

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *à-gwʊ̀tɔ̃̀, compare with Igala àgwùtọ̀


ọbụtụn

/ɔ̀.bʊ́.tʊ̃̀/


okotorobo

òkótòróbó tùyẹ́ sílẹ̀, ọmọ tuntun ń gbé jó, ó ní ó rọ òun lọ́rùn lòún tu ú

The okotorobo bird shed its feather, a child picked up and danced with it, and it said would I have discarded it if it was not a nuisance?

a species of bird, noted for its lack of feathers


oṣo

Possibly from o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣó (“to be mean, strict, ruthless”). Cognate with Igala óchú.

Ṣóbọ̀wálé

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer has returned home."

Ṣóbáyọ̀

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer has met joy"

Ṣódẹkẹ́

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer has become the rafters of a house."

Ṣódẹ̀ìndé

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer returns from the past."

Ṣódíyà

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer has blocked suffering."

Ṣókúnbi

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer is added to a family."

Ṣólàńkẹ́

a given name meaning, "it is a sorcerer that we are caring for."

Ṣósanyà

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer has paid the price for my suffering."

Ṣóyínká

a given name meaning, "the sorcerer surrounds me"

Tẹ́júoṣó

a given name meaning, "stare/admire the sorcerer."

sorcerer, magician; the male equivalent of àjẹ́

(by extension) a spiritual symbol of the deity Òrìṣàoko

a prefix for given names (usually seen as Ṣó-) among the Ẹ̀gbá, Òwu, and Ìjẹ̀bú people who worship Òrìṣàoko


oṣo

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣó (“to squat”)


ụdẹ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-dɛ, compare with Igala údẹ

Ọmọ olúpóólé Ará kọ́n tị́ ị mago ụdẹ mómi
The people who origin from the place called Ará where they use brass cups to drink water (oríkì of the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)


ụkọ

ukọ̀

Ọ̀wọ̀, Ìjẹ̀bú


ụkọ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-kɔ́

ukọ̀

Ọ̀wọ̀, Ìjẹ̀bú


ukọ

(Ọwọ) messenger, diplomat, delegate for a monarch or town


ọyan

From ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yàn (“to suckle”). The use of yàn with this noun is restricted to Central Yoruba dialects, while others use mu (“to drink”).
Compare with Igala ẹ́nyà, Olukumi ọnyàn, Itsekiri èyán, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-ɲã̀. Perhaps distantly related to àyà (“chest”) or *ɔ́-yà (“wife”), which links to other Volta-Niger words for woman. Etymological evidence suggests that ọyàn served as a more euphemistic name compared to ọmú, and while it has largely replaced ọmú in common day speech, its original euphemistic origins may support the idea that it comes from a non-anatomical root, similar to the developement of euphemisms for genitalia.

(anatomy, originally euphemistic) breast


pẹẹlẹpẹ

/k͡pɛ̄ɛ̄.lɛ̀.k͡pɛ́/


aja Oro

/ā.d͡ʒá ō.ɾò/

From ajá (“dog”) + Orò (“Oro”), literally “dog of Oro”, from the sound of the bullroarer

compound

bullroarer, used during the ritual worship of the deity Orò


upẹn

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pẹ́n (“to share out; to divide”), literally “one's lot, one's portion”. Cognate with Yoruba ìpín

af

(Ijebu) the act of dividing something into parts

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


ibomii

/ī.bò.mĩ́ĩ̀/

Àgbàrá òjò ya wọlé láwọn ibòmíì


ẹlomiran

/ɛ̄.lò.mĩ́.ɾã̀/

Mo máa ń bọ̀wọ̀ fáwọn ẹlòmíràn.


ibomiran

/ī.bò.mĩ́.ɾã̀/

Ẹ bá mi gbé iṣu yẹn sí ibòmíràn.


ẹụra

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


duọọsi

/dú.ɔ́ɔ̀.sì/


ẹlẹgungun

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.ɡũ̄.ɡũ̀/

Perhaps related with Edo ẹ̀ghúghù, equivalent to oní- + ẹ̀- + gungùn


alubọsa elewe

head

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

yo-pos

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

yo-noun

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

àlùbọ́sà eléwé

From àlùbọ́sà (“onion”) + eléwé (“that which has leaves”), literally “leafy onion”.


bọdi

(rare outside of compounds or fixed expressions) body


mẹkunnu

poor person, a group of poor people, a society of poor people


iwọde

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ́de (“to protest”).


pabanbari

Paban̄barì mà lọjọ́ òní o!

remarkable thing; outstanding thing; important thing


tajutaju

From reduplication of ta ojú (“to sting the eyes”) (literally “eye stinger”).

reduplication

Àwọn ọlọ́pàá fín tajútajú láti tú ìwọ́de ká.

The police sprayed tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Ṣó ń mu tajútajú?


lapaipa

Compare with Edo àkpákpà, Ekiti Yoruba aláropàpà, Olukumi àkpákpa, Itsekiri àkpákpà


iwọntunwọnsi

head

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

yo-pos

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

yo-noun

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

ìwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsì

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ̀n (“to weigh; measure”) + ọ̀tún (“right”) + wọ̀n (“to weight; measure”) + òsì (“left”).


aikaragba

/à.í.kà.ɾà.ɡ͡bá/

From ugbá (“calabash”). Cognates with Èkìtì Yoruba àkíkàrágbá, Yoruba àákàràgbá


iwoyi

From ìwò (“present time period”) + èyí (“this”)


oluranṣẹ

/ō.lù.ɾã́.ʃɛ́/

From olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + ránṣẹ́ (“to send a message or an errand”)


ibọwọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bù (“to give”) + ọ̀wọ̀ (“respect”)


ibọwọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ̀ (“to wear; to put on”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”)


aye atijọ

/ā.jé à.tī.d͡ʒɔ́/

From ayé (“world”) + àtijọ́ (“old; ancient”).

Àwọn Máyà ayé àtijọ́


bọbọ

young man; bros; brother (term of affection for a young man)


ẹgbẹẹgbẹ

head

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

yo-pos

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

yo-noun

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́

/ɛ̀.ɡ͡bɛ̀ɛ̀.ɡ͡bɛ́/


oluli

From olí- (“the one who has”) + ulí (“house”), cognates include Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba olúlé, Yoruba onílé

compound

Olúlí mi hàn yéye


olule

From olí- (“the one who has”) + ulé (“house”), cognates include Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba olúlí, Yoruba onílé

Olúlé nẹ́ẹ̀ éè gbọ́ mi


dirodiro

Mo rí eku kékeré kan tó ń fì dirodiro láàárín àwọn èékánná rẹ̀ bó ṣe rọra ń fò lọ sókè rẹ̀mùrẹmu bó ti ń lo àwọn apá rẹ̀ tó fẹ̀ tó ogóje sẹ̀ǹtímítà láti ìkángun apá kan dé ìkejì.

2000, ““Ẹyẹ Tó Lẹ́wà Jù Lọ Tó Ń Gbé Inú Igbó””, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

I could clearly see a little rodent hanging in his talons as he moved upward in slow, imposing flight upon huge wings that stretched 50 inches [140 cm] from wing tip to wing tip.


ọbu

Cognates include Itsekiri ọ̀bọ̀n, Àpọ́ị̀ Izon ọ̀bọ̀n, Oǹdó Yoruba ọ̀bùn, Ìlàjẹ Yoruba ọ̀bọ̀n.

Màá la gbàmìírà náti ta ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n rí ọ̀bù nénìí

I will go try to sell something at the market today


ọwọ osi

/ɔ̄.wɔ́ ò.sì/

From ọwọ́ (“hand”) + òsì (“left”). Often replaced with the term ọwọ́ àlàáfíà because of the similarity between òsì (left) and òṣì (“poverty, destitution”)

Ọwọ́ òsì ni ó ń bẹ̀

Ẹ má lo ọwọ́ òsì láti fúnni ní nǹkan.

Don't use the left hand to give people things.

Ọmọ àlè ló máa ń fọwọ́ òsì júwe ilé bàbá ẹ̀.

It's an illegitimate child that points at their father's home with their left hand.


ọbọn

Cognates include Itsekiri ọ̀bọ̀n, Àpọ́ị̀ Izon ọ̀bọ̀n.


ọwọ alaafia

head

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

yo-pos

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

yo-noun

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

/ɔ̄.wɔ́ à.làá.fí.à/

From ọwọ́ (“hand”) + àlàáfíà (“peace; good health”), literally “the hand of peace”.

com

(euphemistic, idiomatic) left-hand; left side


ịra

(Ekiti) member of a society, group, club, or family

(Ekiti) family, relative, friend, acquaintance


ọwọ ọtun

/ɔ̄.wɔ́ ɔ̀.tṹ/


ibẹpẹ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìbẹ́pẹview map

Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Est-MonoagiɖiABDUCTIONNote: 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


fọfọ

Ìpápánu yẹn kún fọ́fọ́ fún ṣúgà

Èrò kún ibẹ̀ yẹn fọ́fọ́

(used with kún (“to be full”)) full to the brim; packed; stuffed


pajapaja

Possibly from reduplication of pa ajá (literally “to kill a dog”), compare Nupe kpadzákpadzá.

reduplication

Pajápajá ń mú mi lẹ́sẹ̀


jawojawo

Reduplication of já owó (“snatch money”).


ẹghẹnghẹn

/ɛ̄.ɣɛ̃̀.ɣɛ̃́/


kulusọ

antlion larva, known for making holes in the sand used for catching prey


segesege

Ó ń ṣe ségesège.


gbaju-ẹ

/ɡ͡bá.d͡ʒú.ɛ̀/

From gbá ojú ẹ̀ (“slap his/her face”). It could have been influenced by an older phrase gbájú ìgan, used in the 1960s to describe magicians who deceptively rob people of their belongings at motor parks and other locations, while also comparing the sting of a slap to being frauded.

...igbó mímu àti gbájú ẹ̀ tí wọ́n ń pè ní 419 ti jàrábà àwọn ará ìlú Ẹ̀tànlókù.

...marijuana and fraud, also called 419 have become a way of life of the people of Ẹ̀tànlókù.


ẹyịnyịn

/ɛ̄.jɪ̃̀.jɪ̃́/

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri Proto-Edekiri *ɛ-ɣɪ̃̀ɣɪ̃́, compare with Itsekiri ọghẹ̀nghẹ́n


oii

(Ondo) Alternative form of oriri (“Blue-spotted wood dove”)


egue

Compare with Itsekiri igùrè (“village”), probably from Proto-Edekiri Proto-Yoruboid *i-gùrè

Ọkùnẹn dá eguè mẹ́gwàá sálẹ̀.


pẹkulẹ

(Ondo) A dish comprised of cooked beans and boiled corn


oṣere

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣeré (“to do a game; to perform”)


abisinwin

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to give birth”) + sínwín (“to be psychotic”).

postpartum depression
postpartum depression


ifun-ọnị

/ì.fũ̄.ɔ̀.nɪ̃̀/

From ìfun (“intestines”) + ọ̀nị̀ (“crocodile”), literally “crocodile intestines”, from the fact that Ekiti people believed the undershirt resembled the intestines of a crocodile


adimọlẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to braid”) + mọ́ (“towards”) + ilẹ̀ (“down, ground”)

af

cornrows (in particular) with the braid facing the scalp


alapata

From oní- (“one who has”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to kill; butcher”) + tà (“to sell”), literally “one who butchers to sell”


ọọru

(Ekiti) cobra; (in particular) Forest cobra or Black-necked spitting cobra


Papalanto

A settlement established in the mid-1800s after the collapse of the Òwu kingdom, the town was apparently first settled by a man by the Adéìtán and Ọláító sometime in the mid-1800s. After the collapse of Òwu Ìpóólé, a descendant of the Amọ́roro royal house joined them. During the Ogun Àdùbí in 1918, the town grew as a result of the sugarcane plantation. The first part of the term comes from pápá (“field”), while the second part is said to come from the name Ọláító, ultimately pápá + Ọláító, literally “Ọláító's field”


Ọgbẹsẹ

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɛ̀.sɛ̀/

Ọ̀gbẹ̀sẹ́dáhùnsi

a Yoruba name meaning "Ogbese answered me

Ọ̀gbẹ̀sẹ́lúsì

a Yoruba name meaning "Ogbese is notable"

Ọ̀gbẹ̀sẹ́sanmí

a Yoruba name meaning "Ogbese rewards me"

Ọ̀gbẹ̀sẹ́tóre

a Yoruba name meaning "Ogbese is worthy of goodness"

an androgynous water deity (ụmọlẹ̀ or òrìṣà), regarded as a son of Olókun and associated with fertility and the Ọ̀gbẹ̀sẹ̀ river that runs in Èkìtì and Oǹdó states. It is regarded as being female or male in different traditions.


igbaweremẹsin

head

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

yo-pos

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

yo-noun

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

ìgbàwèrèmẹ́sìn

/ì.ɡ͡bà.wè.ɾè.mɛ́.sĩ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbà (“to accept”) + wèrè (“craziness”) + mọ́ (“with”) + ẹ̀sìn (“religion”)


Oluwoo

the title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ìwó, Ọ̀ṣun state


erembo

/ē.ɾè.ŋ̀.bó/


ẹjoji

/ɛ̀.d͡ʒò.d͡ʒì/

Cognates include Yoruba àjèjì, Itsekiri ẹ̀jòjì


irinṣẹ

From irin (“iron; metal”) + iṣẹ́ (“work”).


idanilẹkọọ

head

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

yo-pos

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

yo-noun

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to give”) + ẹni (“person”) + ní + ẹ̀kọ́ (“lesson”).


ẹlẹwọn

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.wɔ̃̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ẹ̀wọ̀n (“prison cell”).


ile ọkọ

/ī.lé ɔ̄.kɔ̄/

From ilé (“house”) + ọkọ (“husband; dear”).

Ẹsẹ̀ rẹ̀ ti wà nílé ọkọ.

She is married (literally, “Her foot is in the marital home.”)

Ilé ọkọ yá

marital home (by extension) married life


panyan-an

/k͡pã̀.jã́ã̀/

Mi ò gbọ́ pànyán-àn tó ò ń sọ yẹn

I don't understand that gibberish of yours


bakiteria

Irú bakitéríà pọ̀ lóríṣiríṣi, àwọn kan la fi ń pọntí, àwọn kan la fi ń ṣe ajílẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n àwọn bakitéríà kan wà tó máa ń fa àrùn, àwọn gan-an ni a ń pè ní "kòkòrò àrùn".

There are numerous types of bacteria, some are used to brew alcohol, some are used to make compost, but there are some bacteria that cause disease, those in particular are called "pathogens".


fọnfọn

Wọ́n ń sùn fọnfọn.

Mo sùn lọ fọnfọn ní kété tí mo délé.

I fell fast asleep as soon as I got home.

(used with sùn (“to sleep”)) soundly; deeply; sound asleep


asiidi

"Propanethial-S-oxide" yìí, gáàsì ni. Lásìkò tó wá débi ojú tó bá fara kan omi díẹ̀ tó wà lórí ojú, yóò wá di ásíìdì kan tá a mọ̀ sí "tetraoxosulphate VI acid" tí wọ́n tún pè ní "sulphuric acid".

2023, Arojinle, 0:29–0:44 from the start, in HOW NOT TO CRY WHEN CUTTING ONION:

Propanethial-S-oxide is a gas. Upon coming in contact with eye moisture it produces an acid known as tetraoxosulphate VI acid, which is also called sulphuric acid.


elekiti

From oní- (“one who has”) + è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kìtí (“ideophone describing a physical entity being both solid and open”)


gborogi

/ɡ͡bò.ɾò.ɡì/

Compare with Nupe gbògì, Ayere igbògìdù, Lopa gbədəgi


ofio

Cyperus esculentus
Cyperus esculentus#Translingual


ayẹyẹ

Ẹ jẹ́ kí ayẹyẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀


ẹgbẹnọ

/ɛ̀.ɡ͡bɛ́.nɔ̀/

Ẹ̀gbẹ́nọ̀ rúlé mi wà


ẹda

a small species of bush rat; (in particular) Natal multimammate mouse


ẹda

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to create”)


ẹda

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dà (“to secrete”)


ụụrẹ

(Ekiti) porcupine (African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) and crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata))


atẹrigba

/à.tɛ́.ɾí.ɡ͡bà/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ́ (“to lay, put out”) + orí (“head, surface”) + gbà (“take, accept, receive”), literally “one that the head/surface is put out for to receive or carry”

af

ọmọ àtẹ́rígbà kọ́n mị́jẹ ọ̀nị̀yọ̀n í kù
The child of the lintel where they put the leftovers of people (oríkì verse from the lineage of the Déjì of Àkúrẹ́)


tatase

Probably from Hausa tā̀ttā̀sai, compare with Bole tā̀ttā̀se


akiti

a species of monkey; perhaps the Chlorocebus tantalus


ṣọkụrọ

/ʃɔ́.kʊ̀.ɾɔ́/

ṣọ́kụ̀rọ́ mi jẹ sẹ́rụn ṣe wọ́yọ̀wọ́yọ̀ a ti dé ulé èye mi l'Ụ̀gbàrà-Òkè
The ṣọ́kụ̀rọ́ bird that I eat make loud sounds along the path to my mother's house in Igbara-Oke (a verse from the oriki of the town of Igbara-Oke)

(Ekiti) a name for several species of small to medium sized passerine bird; Northern grey-headed sparrow


arisun

From àrì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + sùn (“to sleep”), literally “The act of not sleeping”

(Ekiti) eve, vigil; the night preceding a traditional festival, consisting of song and dance throughout the night


urunmu

From urọn (“hair”) + *umu, umu is perhaps an obsolete word referring to the groin


ununmu

From unun (“hair”) + *umu (“groin, genitalia”), umu is likely an obsolete word referring to the groin or genitalia, and may be euphemistic. Compare with Igbo amụ̀.


ọṣin

Among the archaic terms for "king," "monarch," or "leader," originally widespread in most Yoruba dialects, now mainly restricted to oral poetry (oríkì), songs of deities like Ògún, and use in old Ìjẹ̀bú names and surnames like Ọ̀ṣínbàjò or Ọ̀ṣínnọ́wọ̀.
The term seemed to have been used quite commonly among the Ìjẹ̀bú, while it has been archaic in most other dialects, (especially the non-nasalized form ọṣì).
See òdío, which is a similar archaic term for king among the Èkìtì and Ìkàrẹ́ people.

Ògún lákáayé ọṣìn imọlẹ̀
Ògún lákáayé, leader of the deities

(archaic, Ijebu) king, leader; the first person to a location

Ọ̀ṣínbàjò

Yoruba name meaning The king has returned from a journey

Ọṣìnbọ̀wálé

Yoruba name meaning The king has returned home

Ọṣíndélé

Yoruba name meaning The king arrived home


urumu

From ụnrụn (“hair”) + *umu (“groin, genitalia”), umu is likely an obsolete word referring to the groin or genitalia, and may be euphemistic. Compare with Igbo amụ̀. The "uru" is a result of vowel harmony in Ekiti, where the nasal "u," is unnasalized in certain compounds, see this in urùgbọ̀n (“beard”) and urúmọlẹ̀.


ikiribojo

Ni ìkìrìbòjò ó ti yẹlẹ̀yẹlẹ̀, kósun ù dìnà. Kósun ù dìnà ìn-ọn ịrá kọ́n lé ọ́n, ọ́n fọ́nká
When the landfowl dug up and scratched the ground, mushrooms sprouted and blocked the path. When mushrooms blocked the path, the people who were chasing them were deterred (explanation of an ancient war involving the people of Ẹfọ̀n)

(Ekiti) a species of landfowl or spurfowl similar to the chicken


ẹẹyọ

Most speakers have shifted to èfífí. See Ondo Yoruba eìghọ̀, Ijebu Yoruba èwọ̀rìwọ̀, Olukumi èghìghọ̀, and Itsekiri èghẹ̀righọ̀. From Proto-Yoruba *ɛ̀-ɣɪ̀ɣɔ̀, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ɛ̀-ɣɔ̀rɪ̀ɣɔ̀.

inh

*ɛ̀-ɣɔ̀rɪ̀ɣɔ̀


ụsụn

ụ̀sụndò

Compare with Olukumi uhọn, Ifè ɛ̀sɔ̃, Ikale Yoruba ùhọngbẹ́, Ijebu Yoruba ùsu, Ondo Yoruba ùsọn, Itsekiri esugbẹ, see Proto-Yoruba *V̀-sʊ̃, *ʊ̀-sʊ̃, *ɛ̀-sʊ̃, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *V̀-su. See potential cognates outside of Yoruboid, Ukaan ɛ̀-ʃú, Nupe etsú. Also possibly from ụ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sụn (“to cry”), literally “that which cries”, which may refer to the loud crying that it produces


okinẹ

Cognates include Oǹdó Yoruba ọkẹnnẹ, Èkìtì Yoruba ọkịnnị, Yoruba ọkinni


ọkọnrẹn

/ɔ̀.kɔ̃̄.ɾɛ̃̀/

From ọ̀kọn (“one”) + rẹ̀n. The rẹ̀n possibly means "that" related to the Ijebu word ìyẹ̀n (“that”) and the Itsekiri word ẹ́rẹ̀n (“that”).


ukoti

→ Edo: ùkótín

→ Urhobo: ùkótí

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to gather, scoop”) + etí (“ear”)

(Ondo, Ekiti) a thin metal pin used for picking one's ear or as a hair instrument; needle


ọkinni

/ɔ̄.kĩ̄.nĩ̄/

Its origins are euphemistic, it was forbidden in some Yoruba towns to use the more common word for needle, abẹ́rẹ́, in the night or in the palace, thus ọkinni was used. Now only used in dialects or greeting a king. Compare with Ijebu Yoruba okinẹ and Ondo Yoruba ọkẹnnẹ (which may have been borrowed from this Yoruba form)

ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀ a dọkinni

(literally, “Your flywhisk shall become as light as a needle”) (a prayer/praise for a king)


upẹrun

/ù.k͡pɛ̄.ɾũ̄/

Possibly from ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to say”) + ẹrun (“mouth”).


ọnie

With no cognates in other Yoruboid dialects/languages, likely an Oǹdó innovation


ọghọta

Unclear if borrowed from Ondo or Akure, or if they are cognate terms.

(Ondo) a species of snake similar to the Gaboon viper; (perhaps) Bitis nasicornis


legbelegbe

orí ni légbélègbé fi ń mòkùnkùn lálẹ̀ odò

(literally, “The head is what the tadpole uses to know the darkness at the bottom of the river”)

It is head that the tadpole uses to dive to the bottom the river


rago

a species of brown goat or ram native to Hausaland


bẹdunjẹ

/bɛ́.dũ̄.d͡ʒɛ̀/

(Àkúrẹ́) a species of bird similar to the hornbill


ọgbọmọdelasuru

head

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

yo-pos

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

yo-noun

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

ọ̀gbọ́mọdélàsùrù

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bɔ́.mɔ̃̄.dé.là.sù.ɾù/

From ọ̀ (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to carry, lift, make”) + ọmọdé (“child”) + làsùrù (“to run haphazardly,”), literally “The one who makes children run frantically”, from the constant flushing of flocks of mannikins which often prompt children to chase them.

af

(Àkúrẹ́) a species of finch; (in particular) Bronze mannikin


isẹ

a species of small antelope; (in particular) Water chevrotain


oibaa

(Ondo) bed; (in particular) a traditional bed made from mud or clay


ailee

(Ondo) a type of grass broom, restricted to use in the home


ịgbae

From ụgbá (“side”) + iè (“root relating to the human rib”). See Olukumi ighè, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *i-ɣè.

compound

(Àkúrẹ́, anatomy) Alternative form of ụgbáè (“rib; rib cage”)


ụgbae

From ụgbá (“side”) + iè (“root relating to the human rib”). The first part of this word can be seen in Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ugbáyà, and likely means "side," perhaps related to gbá (“to hem the sides of a mat”). The second form is also a root term referring to the rib, in Northern and central Èkìtì dialects, the term is not compounded with anything (Yoruba uè, uyè, iyè). In many other Yoruboid dialects, it is occasionally compounded with something else, see Ondo Yoruba ìghághè. See Olukumi ighè, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *i-ɣè


ughaghe

From ùghá (“midrib of an oilpalm frond”) + ighè (“a root relating to the human rib”). See Ijebu Yoruba ùwá (“human rib”), Standard Yoruba ọ̀wá (“rib of palm frond”), Èkìtì Yoruba ụ̀á (“palm frond midrib”).

(Ondo, anatomy) Alternative form of ìghághè (“rib; rib cage”)


ighaghe

From ìghá (“midrib of an oilpalm frond”) + ighè (“a root relating to the human rib”). The first part of the word has many Yoruboid cognates, and usually refers to the side or "rib" of a palm frond. It is not clear if the origin comes from the human rib or the palm frond rib. See Ijebu Yoruba ùwá (“human rib”), Standard Yoruba ọ̀wá (“rib of palm frond”), Èkìtì Yoruba ụ̀á (“palm frond midrib”). The second form is also a term referring to the rib, see Àkúrẹ́ Yoruba ụgbáè, ịgbáè, ịgbáyè, Èkìtì Yoruba uè, uyè, iyè. For other dialects that have the "gba" form, see Ìkálẹ̀, Ọ̀wọ̀ Yoruba ugbáyà. First part of the word can be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-ɣá, *ɪ̀-ɣá, also see Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-ɣá, *ɪ̀-ɣá.


ughogho

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *u-ɣòɣò, compare with Olukumi ùghòghò, Yoruba uwòwò, see *u-ɣòɣò

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual

(Ondo, Ọwọ) gourd; from the plant Lagenaria siceraria


ịpẹẹ

/ɪ̀.k͡pɛ́ɛ̀/

(Akure) a species of bird; (in particular) the Naked-faced barbet


okun ilẹ

/ō.kũ̀ ī.lɛ̀/

From okùn (“rope, string”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, earth”), a very old euphemism, attested in languages throughout Volta-Niger, compare with Itsekiri eguálẹ̀, Ayere unfanalè, Igbo elili ọfīa (“rope of the forest”). Also see Igala ẹ́ñwu-anẹ̀ (“thing of the ground”). Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-kũ̀ a-lɛ̀

cog

(euphemistic) snake; (in particular) used to refer to snakes in the night, where it is believed calling one by its "real name," (ejò) may summon one.


akoo

Its existence in Itsekiri ẹkòró (“hat”) may suggest a borrowing from Oǹdó or Ìkálẹ̀ to Yorùbá or suggests that the term may be of Proto-Edekiri origin, or Proto-SEY-Itsekiri origin. Also see Itsekiri ikoroghẹ̀ (“crown”), and Yoruba àkòró (“coronet”)


obitọn

A widespread term in most dialects of Yoruba. The term is also likely associated with rituals and ceremonies associated with virginity and maidenhood. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ɔ-bɪtʊ̃, *ɔ-bʊtʊ̃, see Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-bʊtʊ̃. Also see Ifè àbitɔ̃

(Ondo, by extension) a traditional coming of age dance and rite performed by young women; see àpọ́n, the equivalent in young men


ọbuntun

/ɔ̄.bũ̄.tũ̄/

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ-bʊtʊ̃ (“maiden”), see Ifè àbitɔ̃, Itsekiri abitọn

A dá fún Ọ̀yẹ̀ nígbàtí ó ń lọ gbé ọbuntun àdúgbò wá ilé
We divine for Ọ̀yẹ̀, when he is going to bring the maiden in the neighborhood home

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọbuntunview map

ọbụntụnABASEMENTNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàọbuntunABASEMENTÈkóÈkóọbuntunABASEMENTÌbàdànÌbàdànọbuntunABASEMENTÌlọrinÌlọrinọbuntunABASEMENTỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ọbuntunABASEMENTStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàọbuntunABASEMENTNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaobutọnABASEMENTEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréàbitɔ̃ABASEMENTAtakpamɛàbitɔ̃ABASEMENTEst-Monoàbitɔ̃ABASEMENTTchettiàbitɔ̃ABASEMENTNote: 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


olukurumusi

Compare with Itsekiri ukúmúsi (“maiden”) and Ondo Yoruba kunsi

(archaic, Àkúrẹ́) a young girl who accompanies a newlywed woman to her husband's home and serves as her assistant


omidan

From ọmọ (“child”) + idan (“relating to virginhood or maidenhood”). See Ijebu Yoruba udọn (“maiden”), Olukumi ọ̀múdán (“spinster”)


ịta

From ị- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ta (“to be spicy”).

affix

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ata (“pepper”)


ayeraye

From ayé (“life”) + rè (“to go”) + ayé (“life”).

com

Sọ̀rọ̀ tàbí kí o dákẹ́ títí ayérayé.


ugbogbo

/ù.ɡ͡bó.ɡ͡bó/

From ù- + gbógbó, likely onomatopoeic or idephonic.


elubọ

→ Hausa: alabo

→ Nupe: lùbwá, rùbwá

a parboiled and dried crop processed into flour; (in particular) such flour used to make dishes like àmàlà

(by extension) flour made from dried crops, usually yam, plantain, or cassava


ẹkịkọnnọ

head

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

yo-pos

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

yo-noun

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

ẹ̀kị́kọ́nnọ́

/ɛ̀.kɪ́.kɔ̃́.nɔ́/

Compare with Olukumi ẹ̀kíkan, Ifè èkíkã́, Itsekiri akikan, Ede Nago àíkã́nã́, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́, *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́lã́, ultimately a Proto-Edekiri innovation, Proto-Edekiri *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́, *ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́lã́

inh

*ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́

*ɛ̀-kɪ́kɪ̃ã́nã́


ọkịka

From ọ̀- + kị̀ka, the root ka can be found in other terms for finger, see Doublet of ìka, Doublet of ùka, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-ka. Perhaps potentially from the same root as èjìká and aká, which can be traced back to Proto-Niger-Congo *-ka (“hand, five”), however the tonal differences of the "a" make this unclear. If not, it is likely a Doublet of ẹ̀ka (branch), suggesting a derivation from a root meaning "to be divided," to be "branched out."


ịrọnyin

/ɪ̄.ɾɔ̃̄.jĩ̀/


iaye

From iá (“member”) + ayé (“world, earth”), literally “Inhabitant of the earth, earthbeing”, in comparison to iá ọ̀un (“heavenly being”)


kowee

kowéè tó ké tí kò ha, ewu ń bẹ

If kowee bird that cries does not remedy the pain, there is danger lurking (Yoruba saying regarding the kowee bird)

a species of black and white in the Vanga, particularly the White-crested helmetshrike and also possibly the Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher. These birds serve as a traditional omen or symbol of death or danger.


fi han

From fi (“to use”) + hàn (“to show”). Compare with Ede Nago fú hàn, Ifè ŋà

to reveal, to demonstrate to someone; to show

(idiomatic) to betray (literally) to point someone out; to reveal a person


ologeeṣa

/ō.ló.ɡèé.ʃà/

From oní- + ògé + òòṣà, literally “Oge of the orisha”

af

Adífá fún ológèéṣà ti yóò korò lẹ́jẹ̀ tọmọtọmọ
We divine for the egyptian plover, who's descendants shall continue to be bitter to the blood (a verse of the Odu Ifa Ọ̀wọ́nrínṣogbè establishing the taboo of consuming the oge bird)

a nickname for the bird known as the Egyptian plover, especially when it is referenced in verses of the Odù Ifá or in poetry. It features on the staff of priests of the deity known as Ọ̀sanyìn, and is associated with healing and medicine.


ajao pụpa

/à.d͡ʒà.ò k͡pʊ̄.k͡pā/

From àjàò (“anomalure, flying squirrel”) + pụpa (“to be red”), literally “The red flying squirrel”, compare with àjàò dídú (“the black flying squirrel”)


ajao didu

From àjàò (“anomalure, flying squirrel”) + dídú (“black, to be black”), literally “The black flying squirrel”, compare with àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n (“the orange flying squirrel”)

af

(Àkúrẹ́) a type of rodent known as the anomalure in the genus Anomalurus, (specifically) the Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel, it resembles but is not closely related to the main family of flying squirrels

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

the only other species of flying squirrel in Nigeria, known as the Beecroft's Flying squirrel


ajao ajọsọn

head

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

yo-pos

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

yo-noun

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

àjàò àjọ̀sọ́n

/à.d͡ʒà.ò à.d͡ʒɔ̀.sɔ̃́/

From àjàò (“anomalure, flying squirrel”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jọ (“to resemble”) + ọ̀sọ́n (“afternoon”), literally “The flying squirrel that resembles the bright/orangeness of the afternoon”, named so because of its orange skin and belly

af

(Àkúrẹ́) a type of rodent known as the anomalure in the genus Anomalurus, (specifically) the Beecroft's flying squirrel, it resembles but is not closely related to the main family of flying squirrels


ẹmụẹ

/ɛ̀.mʊ̃̀.ɛ̃̀/


idodo

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - idodoview map

òdoABANDONEEIfɛ̀Akpáréìfɔ̃́ABANDONEEAtakpamɛìfɔ̃́ABANDONEEEst-Monoìfɔ̃́ABANDONEETchettiìfɔ̃́ABANDONEENote: 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


alagbẹdẹ

→ Fon: alágbɛdɛ, gbɛdɛ́

→ Western Xwla Gbe: gbɛdɛ́

→ Saxwe Gbe: gbɛ̀dɛ̀

→ Adja: gbɛdɛ

→ Ewe: gbɛdɛ

/ā.lá.ɡ͡bɛ̀.dɛ̄/

From oní- (“one who has”) + àgbẹ̀dẹ (“forge, smithery, smithy”).


ẹfịnfịn

/ɛ̄.fɪ̃̄.fɪ̃̄/

Compare with Olukumi ífẹ́nfẹ́n. Maintenance of a cognate with Olukumi could suggest evidence of a strong affinity between what was likely Proto-Ekiti speakers and Proto-Olukumi speakers, and perhaps descended from the same branch of Proto-Yoruba speakers. Also possibly Onomatopoeic


abari

Commonly believed to be derived from the Èkìtì dialect

a traditional Nigerian stead corn pudding, made in a similar fashion to moimoi


alukunrin

/à.lù.kũ̄.ɾĩ́/

Ẹyẹ àlùkunrín abìyẹ́ lààmì laami

The crow, the one with feathers that are thick and heavy


gboju

From gbó (“to be mature; to be rough”) + ojú (“face”)


ologun

English: Ologun

From oní- (“one who owns”) + ogun (“war”), literally “Owner of war”


ajẹlẹ

/ā.d͡ʒɛ́.lɛ̀/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ́ (“to be; to allow”) + ilẹ̀ (“land, ground”)

(diplomacy) consul, district officer, resident

(historical) an administrator on behalf of the Ọ̀yọ́ and later Ìbàdàn government. They supervised territories under the control of Ìbàdàn, and enforced the paying of tribute (ìṣákọ́lẹ̀)


idalẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to go from; to go across”) + ilẹ̀ (“land, country”)

a foreign land; a place far from one's hometown


ụdalẹ

From ụ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to go from; to go across”) + alẹ̀ (“land, country”)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ìdálẹ̀ (“a foreign land”)


kekere

Compare with Yoruba kéré and kékèké. Also see Olukumi kéré, Igala kékélé, likely ideophonic in origin, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *kékélé


ilẹ-okeere

/ī.lɛ̀.ò.kèè.ɾè/

From ilẹ̀ (“land”) + òkèèrè (“far distance”)


ifun

Compare with Olukumi ìfun, Ifè ɛ̀fũ, and possibly related to Igala ìfi (“intestine”) or Igala éfù (“stomach”). Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ì-fũ, from Proto-Edekiri *ì-fũ, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ì-fũ. Compare with Akan ofu, Ayere ifu, Dagbani puuni


gbona

From gbó + iná (“fire”), compare with Olukumi gbóná, Ifè gboná, and Igala kpúná. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *gbónã́, from Proto-Edekiri *gbónã́, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid

(idiomatic) to be very powerful or skilled


iṣawuru

/ì.ʃá.wù.ɾú/

a species of freshwater snail; periwinkle


ijakumọ

/ì.d͡ʒà.kù.mɔ̃̀/

ìjàkùmọ̀ kì í rin ọ̀sán; ẹni a bí ire kì í rin òru

The civet does not walk in daylight, a person of good prestige does not do their affairs in the night (a proverb on character)

civet cat; (in particular) African civet


fọntọnfọntọn

head

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

yo-pos

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

yo-noun

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

fọ́ntọ́nfọ́ntọ́n

/fɔ̃́.tɔ̃́.fɔ̃́.tɔ̃́/

(Ilajẹ) any of the various types of cephalopods (octopus, squid or cuttlefish); especially when consumed as a meat


ọọdẹ

Alternative form of ọ̀dẹ̀dẹ̀ (“passage; corridor or hallway in a home or building”)

ọ̀dẹ̀dẹ̀

Alternative form of ọ̀dẹ̀dẹ̀ (“living room; sitting room; veranda”)


igangan

(Ilajẹ) a catfish in the genus Bagrus; Bagrus filamentosus


atabutọn

From àtà + òbútọ̀n (“brain”), see àtàrí (“top of the head”)


akịka

From a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kịka (“partial reduplication of ka to curl up into a ball”). Likely cognate with Igala átíka

af

(Ekiti) Alternative form of akika (“pangolin”); (in particular) Tree pangolin


oowo

From Contraction of owíwo. The existence of o- and e- prefixes is a remnant of an ancient Volta-Congo noun-class system. See Ede Nago oówó, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *e-ɣíɣo, *o-ɣíɣo, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *e-ɣíɣo, *o-ɣíɣo


eewo

From Contraction of ewíwo. The existence of o- and e- prefixes is a remnant of an ancient Volta-Congo noun-class system, and both forms likely existed in the Proto-languages. See Ede Nago oówo, Olukumi ẹ́ghíghó, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *e-ɣíɣo, *o-ɣíɣo, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *e-ɣíɣo, *o-ɣíɣo. Possibly equivalent to e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wíwo


igere

a fish trap made of wire or palm material


ilakọṣẹ

/ì.lá.kɔ̀.ʃɛ̄/


arọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ (“to pour”)


arọ

From a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ (“to be disabled”)


tuntun

From a partial reduplication of tun (“to be new”). See Itsekiri titọ́n, Olukumi títún, Ifè titɔ̃, Igala titọ. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *-tʊ̃, from Proto-Edekiri *-tʊ̃, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *-tʊ̃. Also see Ayere ɛntɔ


eleredere

Kín bá ti mọ fọ̀, Ùgbèyìn nọ́n tị́ ị jọba, màá tètè yáyà. Màá mádé eléredère kọ̀n, dórí mi ooooo
If I had known that it was in Ugbeyin that reign as king, I would have quickly went there. And I shall take a beautiful crown, and put it on my head (oríkì of Odò-Ùgbèyìn, a historic neighborhood in the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)

(Àkúrẹ́) perfect, beautiful; something perfectly shaped


ẹta oko

From ẹ̀ta (“three”) + òkò (“stones”), literally “Three stones”

compound

Táíwò

name given to the first child in a set of triplets

Ọmọ́kẹ́hìndé

name given to the second child in a set of triplets

Ẹ̀ta(name given to the third child in a set of triplets)


burọda

brother; (in particular) older brother or a slightly older male relative


ipọn

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-kpã, *ʊ-kpã, from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-kpã, *ʊ-kpã. Compare with Ifè ìkpɔ̃, Olukumi ukpan, Itsekiri ukpasun, and possibly Igala ùkpọ̀rọ̀. Likely equivalent to i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọn (“to scoop or fetch a liquid”).


arungun

From a- (“agent prefix”) + run (“to destroy”) + ogún (“inheritance”), literally “destroyer of inheritance”.

Àrún bí àrún, ọba má ṣe wá lárungún.

Five by five, Lord let us not be prodigals.


igbeyawo

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to marry”) + ìyàwó (“wife”)


aṣẹṣẹ

Compare with Proto-Yoruba language Olukumi ìsẹ̀sẹ, suggesting either a common borrowing from another language or perhaps derived from a Proto-Edekiri term.

(Ondo) any of the various species of mushroom


ọpẹrẹkẹtẹ

head

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

yo-pos

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

yo-noun

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

/ɔ̀.k͡pɛ̀.ɾɛ̀.kɛ́.tɛ̀/

From ọ̀pẹ̀ + rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

compound

ọ̀pẹ̀ + rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀

Ọ̀pẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́tẹ̀ ń dàgbà, inú adámọ̀ ń bàjẹ́.

The young palm tree grows, the people get angry.


gbaragogo

/ɡ͡bá.ɾá.ɡō.ɡō/

(Ekiti) a nickname for a type of yellow or brown non-venomous snake


bẹẹrẹ

eldest child; (especially) eldest daughter


amofin

From a- (“agent prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + òfin (“law”), literally “One who knows the law”


agbalaaye

From àgbá (“sphere”) + lá (“to be big”) + ayé (“planet, worlds”), literally “The large sphere of planets”


eleuriu

Ọmọ kọ́ bá ti ṣúlé ụba rẹ̀, ẹ gbùdọ̀ kábùjá ejò eléuríu

A child that inherits the home of his father, must not meet the badly injured eleuriu snake


ụkọkọ

/ʊ̄.kɔ̄.kɔ̄/

From ụ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọkọ (“of an average-size physical entity being extensively protruding”), it is being replaced by orókún or orúkún among younger speakers. Compare with Ayere ingɔgɔ (“elbow”), Ifè gã̀gã̀ŋ́gogo

cog

gã̀gã̀ŋ́gogo


gigisẹ

From gìgí (“ideophone referring to a thing that sticks out”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“leg”), literally “That which sticks out of the leg”, compare with Itsekiri kikirisẹ̀n


igbaroko

/ì.ɡ͡bā.ɾò.kó/


oniṣowo

From oní- (“one who owns”) + ṣe (“to do”) + òwò (“business; trade”), literally “One who owns the act of doing business”


orukun

Cognate with Igala ékwù and Igala òkwúkwù


ere ori itage

/ē.ɾé ō.ɾí ì.tà.ɡé/

From eré (“play, show”) + orí (“surface”) + ìtàgé (“stage”)


irun oju

/ī.ɾũ̄ ō.d͡ʒú/


ibadi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bà (“to be at the end”) + ìdí (“behind, butt”)


iwọrọku

/ì.wɔ́.ɾɔ́.kù/


olojo

(archaic) Alternative form of àlejò (“guest, visitor, stranger”)


akọni

From akọ (“male, masculine”) + ẹni (“person, people”), literally “A masculine person”


akọni

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kọ́ (“to teach”) + ẹni (“person”)


ofurufu

Alternative form of òfuurufú (“sky, atmosphere”)


ẹfuufu

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fúùfù (“of something that blows”)


enini

Unclear if it related to /r/ roots for dew like Olukumi èrìrì or Yoruba ìrì

early morning dew found on leaves and plants


eekun

From Contraction of ekíkún, compare with Olukumi órókún, Àhàn égú, proposed to be derived from a root Proto-Yoruba *-kṹ (“to kneel”). See Doublet of gún (to stick out), and Doublet of kúnlẹ̀. Equivalent to e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kíkún (“partial reduplication of kún "to kneel"”), literally “That which kneels”


esibi

Alternative form of sìbí (“traditional dance performed during the Aérégbé festival”)


atẹgun

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ̀ (“to step”) + gùn (“to climb”)

(literally) the act of stepping on something to climb


ụọ

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-ɣɔ́, *ɪ̀-ɣɔ́, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-ɣɔ́, *ɪ̀-ɣɔ́. It has semantically shifted to also refer to the navel, becoming synonymous with udodo

ùghọ́

Ìkálẹ̀, Ìlàjẹ, Ọ̀wọ̀, Oǹdó

ùwọ́

Ìjùmú, Ìjẹ̀bú

ụnụ́ ụ̀wọ́

a pain that develops from the umbilical cord after birth


iyara

Alternative form of yàrá (“room, bedroom”)


orogun iya

/ō.ɾō.ɡṹ ì.já/

From orogún (“co-wife”) + ìyá (“mother”), literally “A co-wife of one's mother”


ekikun

Proposed to be derived from equivalent to e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kíkún (“partial reduplication of kún to kneel”), literally “That which kneels”


ọlọfịn

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.fɪ̃̄/

From oní- (“one who owns”) + ọfịn (“palace, royalty; royal power”), literally “One who owns the palace; The one who is associated with royalty”. Compare with Igala ọ́fẹ

(Ekiti) king; used mainly in praise poetry and songs


ọpọlọpọ

ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ (canonical)
ọ̀pọ̀lọ́pọ̀ (canonical)

/ɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.lɔ̄.k͡pɔ̀/

/ɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.lɔ́.k͡pɔ̀/

From ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”) + -ni- (“to be”) + ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”) or ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”) + -ní- (“to have”) + ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”)


ughọ

Compare with Itsekiri ùghọ́, Olukumi ughọ́. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-ɣɔ́, *ɪ̀-ɣɔ́. Also see Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-ɣɔ́, *ɪ̀-ɣɔ́.

ùwọ́

Ìjùmú, Ìjẹ̀bú

ụ̀ọ́

Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà

(anatomy, Ikalẹ, Ilajẹ, Ọwọ, Ondo) umbilical cord

(anatomy, Ikalẹ, Ilajẹ, Ọwọ, Ondo) navel


ọpọ

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ̀ (“to be many”)


igunpa

From ìgún (“that which is pointed”) + apá (“arm”), literally “The point part of the arm”, compare with Yoruba orúnkún


gbese

ó jẹ gbèsè


ịyọn nịyọn

head

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

yo-pos

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

yo-noun

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n

/ɪ̀.jɔ̃̀ nɪ̃́.jɔ̃̀/

From ịyọ̀n (“far distance”) + ní + ị̀yọ̀n

Ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n lulé rịn-ọn à?

(literally, “It is a far place that their house is located”)

Ị̀yọ̀n nị́yọ̀n ni mo ti rí aṣọ òfì rà, lọ́ọ̀ụ́rọ̀ kùtù lóòní
It was at a far place that I was able to buy asọ oke clothing, early today morning

(Ekiti) far distance; that which is far away


itanna

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tàn (“to turn on, to shine”) + iná (“light”), literally “That which is bright; That which shines light”


orokun

Possibly cognate with Igala ékwù, Igala òkwúkwù, cognate with Olukumi órókún, Itsekiri oríkẹ́sẹ̀, Ifè ìrúkú, and Àhàn égú, Proto-Lower Cross River *é-kùɔŋ, Igbo ǹkù (“a protruding part of the body”). Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-ríkṹ, *e-kíkṹ, from Proto-Edekiri *o-ríkṹ, *e-kíkṹ, ultimately from the root Proto-Yoruba *-kṹ (“to kneel”). See Doublet of gún (to stick out) and Doublet of kúnlẹ̀ (to kneel). Equivalent to orí (“head, surface”) + kún (“to kneel”), literally “The surface that which kneels”


udodo

Compare with Igala údo, from Proto-Yoruba *u-do, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-do, *í-do. Originally distinct from ìwọ́ (“umbilical cord”) (Sense 2), but the anatomical similarities have made the terms semantically synonymous

(anatomy, chiefly CY, SEY) navel, belly button

(anatomy, chiefly CY, SEY) umbilical cord


orilẹ

From orí (“head, source”) + ilẹ̀ (“the land, ground, country”)

sociopolitical or linguistic entity; country


igbado

Possibly cognate with Fon agbadé, Gun gbàdó Igbo ọ̀gbàdụ

Alternative form of àgbàdo (“maize, corn”)


eefi

(Ekiti) Alternative form of èéfín (“smoke”)


ajoji

/à.d͡ʒò.d͡ʒì/


anamọ

/à.nã̀.mɔ̃́/


agbalagba

/à.ɡ͡bà.lā.ɡ͡bà/

From àgbà (“adult, elder”) + -ni- (“interfix”) + àgbà (“adult”)


ṣẹgi

blue glass coral beads, primarily used as jewelry (ìlẹ̀kẹ̀) for royalty


irawọ oniru

head

ìràwọ̀ onírù

ìràwọ̀ onírù

yo-pos

ìràwọ̀ onírù

ìràwọ̀ onírù

yo-noun

ìràwọ̀ onírù

ìràwọ̀ onírù

/ì.ɾà.wɔ̀ ō.nĩ́.ɾù/

From ìràwọ̀ (“star”) + oní- (“one who has”) + ìrù (“tail”), literally “A star with a tail”


arigbo

Compare with Olukumi árígbó and Itsekiri eligbó, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *a-rígbó, perhaps ultimately from a Proto Edekiri form, though gbó (“to be old”), can be traced back to Proto-Yoruboid.

Alternative form of arúgbó (“old age, elderliness”)

Alternative form of arúgbó (“elder, old person”)


akoso

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to gather”) + so (“to tie”), literally “The act of gathering and bringing together”

af

the act of coordinating or organizing activities

activities being coordinated or organized

coordination, administration, management, control


ọtụpa

Compare with Olukumi owúkpá, Olukumi úkpá, Itsekiri utukpa, possibly related to Urhobo úkpẹ and Edo úkpá. Likely of Edekiri or Edoid origin


orilẹ-ede

From orílẹ̀ (“socio-political or linguistic entity”) + èdè (“language”), literally “A political entity consisting of different languages”

compound

Àjọ Orílẹ̀-èdé Ajùmọ̀tepolẹ̀-sórílẹ̀-èdèmìíràn


hẹrimọ

/hɛ̀.ɾì.mɔ̃̀/

(of an object) extremely large; grotesquely large


gbẹwudani

From gbà (“to take”) + ẹ̀wù (“clothes”) + dání (“to hold”), literally “to hold onto clothes”, referring to a man instructed to hold on to clothes by his wife, showing submissiveness in what is traditionally a patriarchal setting.

com

(sometimes derogatory, offensive) a submissive man (especially in a marriage)


ṣibaṣibo

Noun sense derives from ideophone sense.


ẹfun ikunwe

/ɛ̄.fũ̄ ì.kũ̀.wé/

From ẹfun (“chalk”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kùn (“to paint”) + ìwé (“page, paper”)


afojudi

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“to use”) + ojú (“eyes”) + di, literally “To use ones eyes to block”

af

(idiomatic) the act of behaving contemptuously or defiantly to someone

(idiomatic) being behaved contemptuously or defiantly to someone

ewú logbó, irungbọ̀n làgbà, mámu ni ti àfojúdi

Grey hair is a mark of old age, a beard is a mark of adulthood, a moustache is the mark of defiance (a proverb on stages of life and adolescence)


ijiroro

/ì.d͡ʒí.ɾò.ɾò/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jíròrò (“to discuss”), ultimately from jí (“to wake up”) + rò (“to say; to think”) + èrò (“thought”).


awijare

/à.wí.d͡ʒà.ɾē/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wí (“to say”) + jàre (“to be vindicated”), literally “The one who talks to be vindicated”

af

the act of arguing in defence of some position


awijare

/à.wí.d͡ʒà.ɾē/


afọbajẹ

/ā.fɔ̄.bā.d͡ʒɛ̄/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + fi (“to put”) + ọba (“monarch”) + jẹ (“to reign”).

kingmaker; a chief of a council that appoint monarchs


abọbaku

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bá (“to accompany”) + ọba (“monarch”) + kú (“to die”), literally “one who dies with the monarch”.

(monarchy, especially in Ọ̀yọ́) the chief, usually a general, that is required to commit ritual suicide to join the ọba (“monarch”) in death


kọngila

/kɔ̄.ŋ̄.ɡí.lá/

From English contractor, possibly via Hausa kwangila.


opomulero

From òpó (“pillar”) + mú (“to make”) + ilé (“house”) + ró (“to stand”).

com

(figurative) backbone; pillar; central figure


ariyanjiyan

/à.ɾí.jã̀.d͡ʒī.jã̀/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + iyàn (“argument, disagreement”) + jiyàn (“to argue”)


patako

Noun sense derives from ideophonic sense


ịyara

(Ekiti) traditional earthen walls made of banks and ditches, modeled after the Walls of Benin


feregede

any of species Vigna ambacensis of legumes (pigeon pea)


ibọsẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ̀ (“to wear; cover”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”)


ọdaju

/ɔ̀.dá.d͡ʒú/

From ọ̀- (“agent prefix”) + dájú (“to be heartless”)


apoogun

/ā.k͡pòò.ɡũ̀/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + pò (“to mix”) + oògùn (“medicine”)


ayalegbe

From a- (“agent prefix”) + yá (“to borrow”) + ilé (“house”) + gbé (“to live”)


ọmọlangidi

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lá.ŋ́.ɡī.dī/

Alternative form of ọmọláńgi (“wooden doll”)

(derogatory, offensive) Alternative form of ọmọláńgi (“worthless person”)


ọmọlangi

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lá.ŋ́.ɡī/

(derogatory, offensive) worthless person


iṣẹlẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹlẹ̀ (“to happen”).


igi iwe

From igi (“tree; wood”) + ìwé (“book”), literally “tree of books”.

com

igi ìwé, èso òdo

always studying, yet always failing (literally, “tree of books, fruit of zero”)

(figurative, colloquial) bookworm; avid reader; serious student


ipade

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pàdé (“to meet”), ultimately from pa (“action verb”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dé (“to arrive”)

compound

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìpàdéview map

ìkpàdéABIBIfɛ̀AkpáréìkpàɖéABIBAtakpamɛìkpàɖéABIBTchettiìkpàɖéABIBNote: 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


onile gogoro

/ō.nĩ́.lé ɡō.ɡō.ɾō/

From oní- (“one which has”) + ilé gogoro (“skyscraper”).

af

A style of gèlè (“headtie”) tied tall to resemble a skyscraper

A style irun kíkó (“threaded hair”) made to resemble a skyscraper


ile gogoro

/ī.lé ɡō.ɡō.ɾō/

From ilé (“building”) + gogoro (“towering; tall”).

com

onílé gogoro

tall style of gèlè or irun kíkó inspired by skyscraper


ẹrọ ayelujara

/ɛ̀.ɾɔ̄ ā.jé.lū.d͡ʒá.ɾā/

From ẹ̀rọ (“machine”) + ayélujára (“internet”), see ayélujára for more.


ọmu

Possibly a euphemism, traditionally believed to come from ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mu (“to drink”). Compare with Ayere ɛ́mɔ́, Khana má

ọmú-ajá

a name for a variety of trees and shrubs with red fruits, such as (Cnestis Ferruginea)

ọbẹ̀ ni ọmú àgbà


ayelujara

From ayé (“the world”) + lu (“pierce”) + já (“to slit”) + ara (“body; itself”), literally “the world has torn through itself”.
The term was originally an appellation for the colonial era coin referring to its pierced centre that was used to string the coins together. The name also referred to the controversy surrounding the demonetization of precolonial currencies and introduction of silver and alloy fiat.
In modern usage the term refers to the Internet's role in creating a Global village.

com

(archaic) colonial era perforated coin, the British West Africa Penny


ọgbara

/ɔ̀.ɡ͡bà.ɾá/


oniwaasu

From oní- (“one who has”) + wàásù (“to preach”)


ile-iwe alakọọbẹrẹ

head

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-pos

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-noun

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀

/ī.lé.ì.wé ā.lá.ꜜkɔ́.bɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

From ilé-ìwé (“school”) + oní- (“one who has”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ́ (“to teach”) + bẹ̀rẹ̀ (“to start, to be the beginning”)


bọti

Possibly from bà (“to ferment”) + ọtí (“alcoholic drink”)

ẹni tí kò sá bọ̀tí kì í bẹ̀rù òjò

One that does not dry malt need not fear rain


ile-iwe girama

From ilé-ìwé (“school”) + girama (“grammar”), ultimately a calque of English grammar school.


oniwee-mẹwaa

head

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

yo-pos

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

yo-noun

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

oníwèé-mẹ́wàá

From oní- (“one who has”) + ìwé (“book”) + mẹ́wàá (“ten”), literally “One characterized by ten books”, compare with oníwèé-mẹ́fà (“elementary school graduate”)


oniwee-mẹfa

head

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

yo-pos

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

yo-noun

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

oníwèé-mẹ́fà

From oní- (“one who has”) + ìwé (“book”) + mẹ́fà (“six”), literally “One characterized by six books”, perhaps referring to the six years of primary school education (Primary 1 - Primary 6) in Nigeria. Compare with oníwèé-mẹ́wàá (“elementary school graduate”)


atijọ

/à.tī.d͡ʒɔ́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ti (“of”) + ijọ́ (“day”)


afoopina

Alternative spelling of àfòpiná (“moth”)


alainisuuru

From oní- (“one who has”) + àìnísùúrù (“impatience”)


ainisuuru

/à.ì.nĩ́.sùú.ɾù/

From àì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + sùúrù (“patience”)

Àìnísùúrù ló pa á

a lack of patience, impatience, restlessness


asinwin

From a- (“agent prefix”) + sínwín (“to be insane”)

Má ṣe bí asínwín!


ẹkọ ifọwọyaworan

head

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

yo-pos

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

yo-noun

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

ẹ̀kọ́ ìfọwọ́yàwòrán

/ɛ̀.kɔ́ ì.fɔ̄.wɔ́.jà.wò.ɾã́/

From ẹ̀kọ́ (“teaching, lesson”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“use”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”) + yà (“to draw”) + àwòrán (“picture”)


wunrẹn idanwo

/wṹ.ɾɛ̃̀ ì.dã́.wò/

Ẹ gbé wúnrẹ̀n ìdánwò yẹn wá


iwe-idahun ibeere-idanwo

head

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

yo-pos

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

yo-noun

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

/ì.wé ì.dá.hũ̀ ì.béè.ɾè ì.dã́.wò/

From ìwé-ìdáhùn (“answer sheet”) + ìbéèrè-ìdánwò (“test questions”), from ìwé (“paper, book”) + ìdáhùn (“answer”) + ìbéèrè (“question”) + ìdánwò (“test”)

compound

ìbéèrè-ìdánwò

Kí ni àwọ̀ ìwé-ìdáhùn ìbéèrè-ìdánwò ọdún yìí?

What's the colour of the examination paper this year?


aworan afọwọya

head

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

yo-pos

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

yo-noun

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

àwòrán àfọwọ́yà

/à.wò.ɾã́ à.fɔ̄.wɔ́.jà/

From àwòrán (“picture”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“use”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”) + yà (“to draw”)


agbegbe

→ Gun: agbègbè

→ Fon: agbègbè

/ā.ɡ͡bè.ɡ͡bè/

Kò rí bẹ́ẹ̀ ní agbègbè míì


aworan afikereyọọnuya

/à.wò.ɾã́ à.fī.kē.ɾē.jɔ́ɔ̀.nũ̀.jà/

From àwòrán (“picture”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fi (“use”) + kereyọ́ọ̀nù (“crayon”) + yà (“to draw”)


ibeere

head

ìbéèrè or ìbèèrè

yo-pos

ìbéèrè or ìbèèrè

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + béèrè (“to ask, inquire”)

af

Ẹ jẹ́ kí n wá èsì ìbéèrè yín, èmi yóò dá ìbéèrè yín lóhùn lọ́jọ́ mẹ́ta mà

Let me find the answer to your question, I'll respond in three days ma'am


iworiwo

Cognates include Yoruba ìhòhò, Yoruba ìhòrìhò, Èkìtì Yoruba ìòrìò, Ifè èwò, Owé Yoruba ìwòwò


abo aja

/ā.bō ā.d͡ʒá/

Abo ajá yẹn bí ọmọ púpọ̀ lọ́sẹ̀ tó kọjá yìí

That female dog gave birth to lots of puppies this last week


ifohun-ọmọ-sinu-abo

/ì.fō.hũ̄ ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄ sí.nṹ ā.bō/

From ìfohun (“the usage of something”) + ọmọ (“child”) + sínú (“inside”) + abo (“woman, female”), literally “the act of using the thing of the child (sperm) in a woman”

compound

A sowing of seed; the act of inseminating.

The introduction of sperm into a female’s reproductive system for the purpose of impregnating (making pregnant).


irin ajo

/ì.ɾĩ̀ à.d͡ʒò/

From ìrìn (“journey, trip, walk”) + àjò (“journey, trip”)

Ìrìn àjò ilé ayé yìí le


abo aguntan

/ā.bō à.ɡũ̀.tã̀/

Abo àgùntàn nìyí


iṣegbefabo

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣe (“do”) + ègbè (“strong support”) + fún (“for”) + abo (“female”), literally “The act of strong support for the female gender”.


abo adiyẹ

Abo adìyẹ yẹn yín ẹyin púpọ̀ lọ́sẹ̀ tó kọjá yìí

The hen laid a lot of eggs this last week


eṣiṣilọọ

èṣìṣìlọ́ọ̀ (canonical)
eṣiṣilọ́ọ̀ (canonical)

/è.ʃì.ʃì.lɔ́ɔ̀/

/ē.ʃī.ʃī.lɔ́ɔ̀/

Probably èṣìṣì + lí (“to have”) + ọọ̀ (“broom”), likely an alternative form of òṣùṣù ọwọ̀

(Ekiti) a single grass strand which make up a broom

(by extension, Ekiti) broom; (literally) the bundle of grass strand that form a broom


pupuru

A swallow made from cassava eaten in Ondo


sogundogoji

/sō.ɡṹ.dō.ɡó.d͡ʒì/

From sọ (“to make”) + ogún (“twenty”) + di (“to become”) + ogójì (“forty”), literally “to turn twenty into forty”


alujanna

/à.lù.d͡ʒã́.nã̀/


orikadun

From orí (“head”) + ká (“to survive, to overcome”) + ọdún (“year”), literally “The head (soul) has survived another year”


ọgụnrụn

/ɔ̀.ɡʊ̃̀.ɾʊ̃̀/

A semantic shift likely occurred from the human organ known as the neck to simply only neck-like body parts. Compare with Itsekiri ugunrọn, Ifè ɔ̀gɔ̃̀rɔ̃̀, Owe Yoruba igọ̀nrùn. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-gʊ̃̀ɾʊ̃̀, *ʊ̀-gʊ̃̀ɾʊ̃̀. While it can only be reliably reconstructed to Proto-Edekiri *ɔ̀-gʊ̃̀ɾʊ̃̀, it is descended from Volta-Congo roots for neck, compare with Proto-Kwa *kɔŋgɔ, Proto-Benue-Congo *ton, Proto-Bantu *kíngó, Proto-Gbe *-kɔ, ultimately from Proto-Volta-Congo *ˈkɔtĩ

cog

Ifè ɔ̀gɔ̃̀rɔ̃̀

inh

*ɔ̀-gʊ̃̀ɾʊ̃̀

*ɔ̀-gʊ̃̀ɾʊ̃̀


ojoro

Alternative form of òjóóró (“fraud, cheating, rigging”)

Alternative form of òjóóró (“favoritism”)


alatilẹyin

From oní- (“one who has”) + àtìlẹ́yìn (“support”).


ayederu

From ayé (“world”) + di (“to become”) + èrú (“fraudulence, dishonesty”), literally “The world has become fradulent”


irọ

Possibly from i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ́ (“to narrate or recount”)


ojuju

/ō.d͡ʒū.d͡ʒū/

Probably from o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + juju (“partial reduplication of ju "to be infected with pus"”). Compare with Olukumi ózúzú


onitumọ

From oní- (“one who”) + ìtumọ̀ (“meaning”)


agegi

From a- (“agent prefix”) + gé (“to cut”) + igi (“tree”), literally “One who cuts trees”


gbọngan

/ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.ɡã̀/


okutu

òkùtù ọ̀pẹ̀ ò lásà òòyì

The stump of the palm tree is no longer indebted to the wind (verse from an Ekiti oral poem)


egbojo

/è.ɡ͡bō.d͡ʒò/

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ègbodò (“freshly harvested yam”)


aṣigbe

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣí (“to open”) + gbè (“to support a position”), literally “That which opens and supports”, compare with àígbè


miliọnu

Àwọn olùgbé orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà tó n̄ǹkan bí i igba mílíọ̀nù ní ọdún 2019.

The population of Nigeria reached around 200 million in the year 2019.


biliọnu

Ní ọjọ́ karùn-ún-dílógún oṣù Bélú, ọdún 2022 ni Àjọ Ìṣọ̀kan Àgbáyé sọ pé àwọn olùgbé àgbáyé ti tó bílíọ̀nù mẹ́jọ.

It was on November 15, 2022 that the United Nations stated that the world's population has reached 8 billion.

Oyetola tún ní yàtọ̀ sí bílíọ̀nù mẹ́rìnlá náírà tí àwọn fi kalẹ̀ sápò ìjọba, bílíọ̀nù mẹ́jọ náírà mìíràn yóò tún wọ àpò ìjọba láàárín oṣù kejìlá sí oṣù kìíní ọdún tó ń bọ̀.

2022 November 27, Faoziyah Saanu-Olomoda, “Oyetola: Bílíọ̀nù mẹ́rìnlá náírà ni mo fi kalẹ̀ fún ìjọba tuntun [Oyetola: 14 billion naira is what I put away for the next government.]”, in BBC News Yorùbá:

Oyetola also said that apart from the 14 billion naira that they put down into the [next] government's accounts, another 8 billion will enter the government's accounts between next December and next January.


iranlọwọ

/ì.ɾã̀.lɔ́.wɔ́/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ràn lọ́wọ́ (“to help”)

Ìrànlọ́wọ́ ìjọba ni ó bá wa kọ́ ilé wa

It is with the assistance of the government that we were able to build our house


itẹjade

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ̀ (“to print”) + jáde (“to go out”).

Ìtẹ̀jáde oṣooṣù ni wọ́n máa ń ṣe


ikarawun

Alternative form of ìkarahun (“snail shell”)


ikasẹ

From ìka (“finger, toe, digit”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”), literally “Digit of the foot”


eeru

eérú fún eérú, eruku fún eruku

grey:


eeru

Luffa aegyptiaca
Luffa aegyptiaca#Translingual

grey:


omiro

From omi (“water”) + oró (“toxin, poison”)


ominu

From omi (“water”) + inú (“insides, stomach”)

ominú kọ mí lórí ọ̀rọ̀ yìí

(idiomatic, often in the plural) reservation, doubt


ọyịn

Ọmọ olípèrègún ojúmurún kẹ́ẹ̀ ṣàgbà àòrò lọ́yị̀n

The child of the peregun plant at the shrine that joyfully serves as chief priest

Fásomọ́yị̀n

a Yoruba name meaning "Ifa is tied amongst happiness


agọ ọlọpaa

head

àgọ́ ọlọ́pàá

àgọ́ ọlọ́pàá

yo-pos

àgọ́ ọlọ́pàá

àgọ́ ọlọ́pàá

/à.ɡɔ́ ɔ̄.lɔ́.k͡pàá/

From àgọ́ (“station, encampment”) + ọlọ́pàá (“police”)

compound

Ìyá mi ti lọ sí àgọ́ ọlọ́pàá láti máa dá àwọn ìbéèrè kan lóhùn

My mother went to the police station to answer some questions


agọ

a- (“agent prefix”) + gọ̀ (“to be foolish”)


ikolẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to pack”) + ilẹ̀ (“rubbish, trash, dirt”).


adikala

Part of the etymology may come from àlà (“white, pure”)

someone that is multi-colored or piebald


Ẹlẹdaa

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.ꜜdá/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ẹ̀dá (“creation”).


kọrinkọrin

/kɔ̄.ɾĩ̄.kɔ̄.ɾĩ̄/

Reduplication of kọrin (“to sing a song”, literally “song singer”)


ajọyọ

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.jɔ̀/

From àjọ (“meeting”) + yọ̀ (“to rejoice, to be elated”), literally “joyful meeting”


ajọrin

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.ɾĩ̀/

From àjọ (“the act of doing something together”) + rìn (“to walk”)


ajọpinya

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.k͡pĩ́.jà/

From àjọ (“the act of doing something together”) + pín yà (“to divide, separate”)


idimulẹ awujọ

head

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

yo-pos

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

yo-noun

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

ìdìmúlẹ̀ àwùjọ

From ìdìmúlẹ̀ (“institution”) + àwùjọ (“society”), literally “social institution”


ajọsọ

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.sɔ̄/


ajọpinnu

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.k͡pĩ̄.nũ̄/

From àjọ (“the act of doing something together”) + pinnu (“to decide”)


ajọdẹ

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.dɛ̄/


ajọdi

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.dì/

From àjọ (“the act of doing something together”) + dì (“to bind”)


iṣẹda

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ̀dá (“to create”).


iṣẹda

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ̀dà (“to copy”).


ọja agbaye

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒà à.ɡ͡bá.jé/

From ọjà (“market”) + àgbáyé (“world, global”)


ajọ agbaye

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄ à.ɡ͡bá.jé/

From àjọ (“organization”) + àgbáyé (“international”)

Èmi yóò fẹ́ràn láti ṣiṣẹ́ fún àjọ àgbáyé kan

I would like to work for an international organization

international organization
international organization


owo agbaye

From òwò (“trade”) + àgbáyé (“international, global”)


ofin agbaye

/ò.fĩ̄ à.ɡ͡bá.jé/

From òfin (“law”) + àgbáyé (“international”)

Ó yẹ kí gbogbo orílẹ̀-èdè tẹ̀lé òfin àgbáyé

All countries must follow international law


ẹda-eniyan

/ɛ̀.dá è.nĩ̀.jã̀/

From ẹ̀dá (“creation”) + ènìyàn (“human”), literally “human creation”


afọwọfa ẹda

head

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

yo-pos

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

yo-noun

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

àfọwọ́fà ẹ̀dá

From àfọwọ́fà (“self-inflicted suffering or misery”) + ẹ̀dá (“creation”), literally “the creation of self inflicted misery”


onimọ ẹda-ede

head

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

yo-pos

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

yo-noun

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

onímọ̀ ẹ̀dá-èdè

/ō.nĩ́.mɔ̃̀ ɛ̀.dá è.dè/

From onímọ̀ (“knowledgeable person”) + ẹ̀dá (“creation”) + èdè (“language”), literally “knowledgeable person of language creation”


aaye

Kò sáàyè níbẹ̀


idagbaroke

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dàgbà rókè (“to grow; to develop”).


yooku

From èyí (“this”) + ti (“that”) + ó (“third person pronoun”) + kù (“to remain”), literally “That which remains”

compound

Jẹ́ kí àwọn yòókù mọ̀ pé à ń bọ̀ láìpẹ́

Let the others know that we'll be there soon


ibinu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to anger”) + inú (“inside”). Cognates include Itsekiri ìbínọ́, Ifè inɔ́ bíbí

affix

inú bí

to be upset, angry, uncontented, enraged


iyooku

Ìyòókù náà dà?

Alternative form of ìyókù (“remainder, rest, others”)


itẹle

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ̀ lé (“to follow”).


ukeke

Compare with Olukumi ukeke, also see kékeré (“small, tiny”), kéré (“small”). Like the other forms, likely ideophonic in origin


nnkankan

/ŋ̄ŋ̀.kã̄.kã̄/

Ṣé n̄ǹkankan wà tí mo gbọ́dọ̀ ṣe lénìí?


onifẹẹ-obinrin-sobinrin

/ō.nĩ́.ꜜfɛ́.ō.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄.só.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ìfẹ́ (“love”) + obìnrin (“woman”) + sí (“to”) + obìnrin (“woman”).


inifẹẹ-obinrin-sobinrin

/ì.nĩ́.ꜜfɛ́.ō.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄.só.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + ìfẹ́ (“love”) + obìnrin (“woman”) + sí (“to”) + obìnrin (“woman”), literally “love between women”.

lesbianism, the state (of a woman) of being sexually attracted to other women


abẹtẹ

Cognates include Itsekiri àbẹ́tẹ̀ (“room”)


ẹyọlọ

/ɛ̄.jɔ́.lɔ́/

a species of cat-like mammal said to be similar to the ògbo


Ounjẹ Alẹ Oluwa

/ō.ṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄ ā.lɛ́ ō.lú.wā/

From oúnjẹ (“food”) + alẹ́ (“evening”) + Olúwa (“God”).


ounjẹ alẹ

/ō.ṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄ ā.lɛ́/


ounjẹ ọsan

/ō.ṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄ ɔ̀.sã́/

From oúnjẹ (“food”) + ọ̀sán (“afternoon”).


ounjẹ aarọ

/ō.ṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄ àá.ɾɔ̀/


agbẹdẹ wura

head

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

yo-pos

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

yo-noun

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

àgbẹ̀dẹ wúrà

/à.ɡ͡bɛ̀.dɛ̄ wú.ɾà/

af

àgbẹ̀dẹ + wúrà


agbẹdẹ fadaka

head

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

yo-pos

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

yo-noun

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

àgbẹ̀dẹ fàdákà

af

àgbẹ̀dẹ + fàdákà


agbẹdẹ baba

head

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

yo-pos

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

yo-noun

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

àgbẹ̀dẹ bàbà

/à.ɡ͡bɛ̀.dɛ̄ bà.bà/

af

àgbẹ̀dẹ + bàbà


agbegbe akoko

/ā.ɡ͡bè.ɡ͡bè à.kó.kò/


aloko

(Ekiti) Ekiti form of àlùkò (“Yellow-billed turaco”)


odindi

kò sọ̀rọ̀ fún odindi ọjọ́ mẹ́ta

They did not speak for a whole three days

Alternative form of odidi (“whole, entire; a complete entity”)


ukoto

Its lack of attestation in most Èkìtì subdialects except for Èmùré and Àkúrẹ́ may suggest that it is a borrowing from Oǹdó and Ọ̀wọ̀, or it has been replaced by odidi in those areas, as odidi is also replacing ùkótó in areas where ùkótó has been attested. Largely only seen in oral poetry.

Ị̀kàrà ṣèjì ṣị́nụ́ adagba tẹ̀rẹ ùkótó l’Adó Èwí

There is only two akara remaining in the pot, yet you claim a whole one for yourself in the town of Ado Ewi

(Ekiti, Ọwọ, Ondo) whole, entire, a complete entity


ukoto

(Ekiti, Ọwọ, Ondo) Alternative form of òkòtó (“spinning top”)


Motunrayọ

From Blend of mo (“I”) + tún (“again”) + rí (“to see”) + ayọ̀ (“joy”)

blend

a female given name meaning “I have seen joy again”


Adenikẹẹ

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + ní (“to have”) + ìkẹ́ (“the act of caring for”)

a female given name meaning “The crown is to be treasured or cared for”


Adeikẹ

From adé (“crown, royalty”) + ìkẹ́ (“the act of caring for”)

compound

a female given name meaning “One whose birth has crowned the efforts of your care”


Adenikẹ

This is a non-standard spelling of Adéníkẹ̀ẹ́, but by far the most common form used

a female given name meaning “The crown is to be treasured or cared for”, Alternative form of Adéníkẹ̀ẹ́


ọjọ iya

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ ì.já/


kaadi iranti

head

káàdì ìrántí

káàdì ìrántí

yo-pos

káàdì ìrántí

káàdì ìrántí

yo-noun

káàdì ìrántí

káàdì ìrántí

/káà.dì ì.ɾã́.tí/

From káàdì (“card”) + ìrántí (“memory”).


ọja agbẹ

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒà à.ɡ͡bɛ̀/


ọkọ ayọkẹlẹ

head

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

yo-pos

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

yo-noun

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

/ɔ̄.kɔ̀ ā.jɔ́.kɛ́.lɛ́/


idanimọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá mọ̀ (“to recognize/identify”) + ẹni (“person”), literally “someone that is recognized/identified”.

affix

Ó lo káàdì ìdánimọ̀ mi láti dá mi mọ̀, kí n lè dìbò ní ìdìbò ààrẹ̀ lọ́dùn yìí

She used my identification card to identify me, so that I could vote in the presidential election this year


igbegbeleju

/ì.ɡ͡bè.ɡ͡bè.lé.d͡ʒú/

Compare with Owe Yoruba pèpèlèjú, Ondo Yoruba ìgbègbèéjú, Yoruba ìpéǹpejú equivalent to ìgbègbè + lé (“upon”) + ojú (“eyes”)


adịn

Compare with Owe Yoruba àdè (“behavior”)

Àdínlẹ́wà

A Yoruba name, meaning identity has beauty, character has beauty

(Ekiti, Ifẹ) A person's individual identity and a collective community identity.


eṣu

Probably from e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣú (“to darken; to move towards something in a massive form”), literally “That which swarms; That which darkens the sky”

af

Ọlọ́mọ bí eṣú, Èyé Ògbòó káre
You the one who has children as numerous as locusts, Ògbòó my mother I greet you!


diẹ

Bá n mú díẹ̀, jọ̀ọ́


ọdịdẹrẹ

/ɔ̄.dɪ́.dɛ̄.ɾɛ́/

ọ- + dị́dẹ + rẹ́

Psittacus erithacus
Psittacus erithacus#Translingual

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


ọwẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.wɛ́.ɾɛ́/

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wẹ́rẹ́ (“to be small, skinny”)


ịyawo

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

Èyé Ṣàmọ, ọ́ fẹ́ẹ̀rọ̀n ị̀yàwó rẹ̀
Eye Samo truly cared for her younger co-wife

(dated, Ekiti) one's younger co-wife, a younger wife of one's husband


ọrun apaadi

head

ọ̀run àpáàdì

ọ̀run àpáàdì

yo-pos

ọ̀run àpáàdì

ọ̀run àpáàdì

yo-noun

ọ̀run àpáàdì

ọ̀run àpáàdì

/ɔ̀.ɾũ̄ à.k͡páà.dì/


egiri

ọmọ ẹ̀ṣọ́ oríta ègìrì òkè
The child of the ẹ̀ṣọ́ guard of the crossroads, the child of ègìrì guard of the hill

(Ekiti) a type of ancient warrior or guard, equivalent to the local police force; a member of the Ègìrì warrior clan or class.

Elégìrì

a high-ranking chief that serves as the head of the Ègìrì warriors


egii

Èmi ègìì lúgbó, ọmọ asọbẹ̀ pajìẹ
The child of the ègìì guard of the forest, the child who makes soup and kills a chicken

(Ondo) Alternative form of ègìrì (“a type of ancient warrior or guard charged to protect, equivalent to the local police force a member of the Ègìrì warrior clan or class”)


osirigi

/ò.sí.ɾì.ɡì/

agbojú omi kòsírìgì ọ̀nọ̀ Ùtàlèmẹkùn
The one who crosses the river and encounters the osirigi drum on the path to Utalemekun (oríkì of a family from the Ekiti-speaking town of Ìkọta)

(Ifẹ, Ekiti) a small to medium-sized single-headed cylindrical drum. It is closely associated with the palace and court of the Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀, and is primarily played during festivals.

(Ifẹ, Ekiti) a type of music consisting of the playing of the òsírìgì drum, accompanied by metal gongs.


asaragba

/à.sá.ɾà.ɡ͡bá/


tioko

a type of bamboo flute, primarily used by hunters


oporoporo

a large species of tree; (in particular) Pterygota Macrocarpa and Cola gigantea


aṣeyọri

/à.ʃē.jɔ̄.ɾí/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣe (“to do”) + yọrí (“to be successful, to have a desirable result”)

af

the act doing of something successfully to the end


akete

Ọmọ ụmọlẹ̀ kẹ́ẹ̀ pọ̀nnọ̀, kọ́ gbé ọ tórí àkéte lọ
The child of the deity that cannot be on the footpath, so they take it on the wooden bed and go (oríkì of an Èkìtì family from the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)


apẹpẹ

Agbojú omi kọ́ mọ́kụta ṣapẹpẹ lúlé rẹ
The ones who cross the river and use a rock to craft a shelf in your home (part of the oríkì of the Ekiti-speaking village of Ìkọta)


jẹdi-jẹdi

/d͡ʒɛ̀.dí.d͡ʒɛ̀.dí/

From Reduplication of jẹ̀dí (“to eat or consume the butt”)

reduplication

a term used to for symptoms associated with pain or irritation of the anus, especially in children

the plant Cyanthillium cinereum, among the herbs used for treating jẹ̀dí-jẹ̀dí


ọyịnyịn

/ɔ̀.jɪ̃́.jɪ̃́/

Igi ògún ẹlẹ́yọó gbà dọjà, ọ̀yị́nyị́n ì jị́n-ọn nọ̀
The large fig tree is on the path to the market, but gossiping under the tree prevented us from buying and selling (oríkì of an Èkìtì family)


okeṣiṣi

/ò.ké.ʃí.ʃí/

òkéṣíṣí ṣubúlẹ̀, ó lóòyì lị́ kọ́ un. Ṣé òòyì lị́ kọ́ ọ lị́bi kó o ụtọ́ bárụn?
The epileptic person fell down, and said that he was simply dizzy? Was it dizziness that affected you when you were foaming saliva in your mouth (Àkúrẹ́ folk song)

(somewhat offensive, Àkúrẹ́) an epileptic person


ụja

Compare with Ifè idzã̀, Ọ̀yọ́ Yoruba ijà, possibly related to Igbo ụdà

Ọmọ ọwá ají mụ́jà àgbò wẹ́sẹ̀
The child of the king who wakes up and uses ram fat to moisturize their feet (oríkì of the Déjì of Akure)


gidigbo

/ɡí.dí.ɡ͡bò/


ugbegbe

/ū.ɡ͡bè.ɡ͡bè/


ogbo

Ìdòwú ògbo, amúkere létí ― Idowu the one like the wild cat, the one that carries a tiny piece on the ears (oríkì of Ìdòwú)

a name for several species of small wild cat, similar to the civet


ọpapa

Cognate with Itsekiri akpakpa, likely of Southeast Yoruba origin borrowed into Ekiti

ọ̀pàpà àjàkàlú

The strong winds that blow throughout the town (praise poetry of a king or deity)

(dated, Ekiti, Ondo, Eastern Akoko) harmattan; the strong winds associated with the harmattan


ṣẹṣẹ-ẹfun

From ṣẹ́ṣẹ́ + ẹfun (“that which is white”)

white beads, traditional associated with worshippers of the deity Ọbàtálá


ọdalẹ

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dà (“to betray”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”)


ṣọbọrọ

/ʃɔ̀.bɔ̀.ɾɔ́/

ṣọ̀bọ̀rọ́ bọlị́là nụ́nụ́ jẹ́. Kí lo máa fịlàkị́là ṣe lójú rẹ

The plain-faced person has made the person with tribal marks upset. Saying, what are you doing with useless marks on your face

(CY) a clean-faced person with no tribal marks


ojurọ

/ō.d͡ʒú.ɾɔ̀/

From ojú (“surface, face”) + rọ̀ (“to be softening”), literally “The face of the sky is softening”


ojugba

/ō.d͡ʒú.ɡ͡bà/

From ojú (“face”) + ìgbà (“time, season, occasion”)

ikú t'ó ń pa ojúgbà ẹni, ó ń pòwe mọ́ni

(literally, “The death that is killing one's peers, is serving as a proverb for one”)

when one's peers are dying, it is a sign that one's fate is not too far away


opipi

adìẹ òpìpì


okuku

(Ekiti) Alternative form of òkùnkùn (“darkness”)

(idiomatic, Ekiti) Alternative form of òkùnkùn (“evil”)

(idiomatic, Ekiti) Alternative form of òkùnkùn (“blindness”)


itakun

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tà + okùn (“rope”)

af

morning glory plant; the plant Adenia cissampeloides; a group of plants in the genus Cissus; the plant Flabellaria; the plant Secamone Afzelii; Cucurbita pepo; Cucurbita pepo; calabash plant; Cissus polyantha; Stachyanthus Zenkeri

ìtàkùn abísuhóìtàkùn arọ́kẹ́kẹ́ ()ìtàkùn dájí ()ìtàkùn àrán ()ìtàkùn àìlu ()ìtàkùn-elégédé ()ìtàkùn-esí ()ìtàkùn-igbá ()ìtàkùn-igbó ()ìtàkùn-kanranjangbọn ()ìtàkùn-olókoìtàkùn-ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ìtàkùn-ọ̀pọ̀n

the highly-toxic plant Dichapetalum toxicarium


giriwa

Possibly from Nupe giwa (“a salutation for a high-ranking person among chiefs or warriors”)

bor

(Ekiti) president of a club or age-group association

Gíríwá

title for the president of an association

ẹjụ̀á

title for the treasurer of an association


ọjọ iwaju

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ ī.wá.d͡ʒú/

From ọjọ́ (“day”) + iwájú (“front”), literally “the day ahead/in front”

compound

A máa rí ìtẹ̀síwájú náà lọ́jọ́ iwájú


onile

From oní- (“the one who has”) + ilé (“house”)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - oníléview map


ụgọgọ

/ʊ̀.ɡɔ̀.ɡɔ̀/

Àgbàrá ọ̀nà Ùgbèyìn ó dúdìí eṣi méè rúgọ̀gọ̀ èyìn í rẹ̀ ― The torrent on the way to Ugbeyin, it reaches the butt of the horse but I did not see the horse's tail (praise poetry of the Alárá of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)

(Ekiti) mane (of a lion or horse); a horse's tail


ilemoṣu

divorcée; (literally) a married woman that returns to her father's house


araye

Composed of the words ará (“people”) + ayé (“world”), literally “people of the world”. This word has cognates in the Yoruboid language continuum with the meaning mainly being that of a single individual, and not humanity as a collective as in Standard Yoruba. It is cognates with Itsekiri irẹ́yé (“person”), Oǹdó Yoruba iáyé (“person”), Èkìtì Yoruba ịráyé (“person”), Ìlàjẹ Yoruba iráyé (“person”)

humanity, humankind, the world of people


aṣofin-agba

/ā.ʃò.fĩ̄.à.ɡ͡bà/

Compound of aṣòfin (“lawmaker, representative”) + àgbà (“senior”), literally “senior person who makes the constitution and laws”.

com+

Coordinate term: aṣòfin (“representative”)


ile aṣofin-agba

/ī.lé ā.ʃò.fĩ̄.à.ɡ͡bà/

Compound of ilé + aṣòfin-àgbà, literally “house of senators”

Coordinate term: ilé aṣòfin (“house of representatives”)


afọju

/ā.fɔ́.d͡ʒú/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + fọ́ (“to break, be broken”) + ojú (“eye”), literally “The one with whose eye is broken”. Cognate with Itsekiri afọ́jú, Ifè afɔ́dzú


iborun

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + borùn (“to cover one's neck”)

fi ìborùn kọ́ èjìká

Fún òde pàtàkì, obìnrin Yorùbá gbọ́dọ̀ ró ìró, ó gbọ́dọ̀ wọ bùbá, ó gbọ́dọ̀ we gèlè, ó sì gbọ́dọ̀ fi ìboorùn kọ́ èjìká. Bi òde yìí kì í bá ṣe òde pàtàkì, obìnrin lè má lo ìboorùn.

1993 November 24, Antonia Yétúndé Fọlárìn Schleicher, “Ẹ̀kọ́ Kẹsànán - Clothing”, in Jẹ́ K'Á Sọ Yorùbá [Let's Speak Yoruba], Yale University Press, →ISBN, ÀṢÀ: Aṣọ Wíwọ̀, page 159:

For important occasions, a Yoruba woman must tie a wrapper, wear a blouse, wear a gele, and hang a scarf on her shoulder. If the event is not important, women may not use shawls


upọnrun

/ù.k͡pɔ̃́.ɾũ̄/

Likely from ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ́n (“to be red, ripe”) + ẹrun (“mouth”). Cognates with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ùpánrun, Itsekiri ùkpárun, Oǹdó Yoruba ùpánún, archaic Èkìtì Yoruba ụpọ́nrụn. Compare Ọ̀wọ̀ Yoruba ùpẹ̀nmẹ̀nrun, Ifè bèbèlè-arũ, Olukumi ekpùpẹrún, and Ede Nago ɛkpɔn.
See Standard Yorùbá entry ètè for other terms used in the Yoruboid linguistic continuum.


otunwa

Compare Itsekiri ùtọ̀gwá, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba òtùgwá, Oǹdó Yoruba ùtọ̀gwájú

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iwájú oríview map


ibi-iṣẹ

Compound of ibi (“place”) + iṣẹ́ (“work”).

com+

A máa ń lọ s'íbi-iṣẹ́ l'áago méje ààbọ̀ l'ọ́jọ́ Ajé.

We (usually) go to work at 7:30 on Mondays.


mama mama

Compound of màmá + màmá, literally “mother's mother”.

compound+

Coordinate term: màmá bàbá (“paternal grandmother”)

Synonym of ìyá ìyá (“maternal grandmother”)


iya iya

Compound of ìyá + ìyá, literally “mother's mother”.