are

From the same root as eré, iré, and uré, see Proto-Yoruba *V-ré

Alternative form of eré (“running, race”)

Alternative form of eré (“play, pastime”)


are

miserableness; the state of being miserable and aimless


ami

Àmì ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ òjò rírọ̀ ni awọ àwọsánmà tó ń bẹ lójú ọ̀run

The sign of incoming rain is the colour of the clouds in the sky


ao

(Ekiti) Ekiti form of awó (“guinea fowl; (in particular) Western crested guineafowl”)


ao

Cognate with Igala àwó, Olukumi awó, Itsekiri éwó, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *à-wó, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *à-wó


ao

Aóòláyè

a Yoruba name meaning "The Ifa oracle does not lie"

Ọlọ́fịnṣao

a Yoruba name meaning "Olofin worships Ifa"

(Ekiti) Alternative form of awo (“secret, that which is secretive”)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of awo (“cult, sect; especially pertaining to Ifa or the Ifa oracle”)

awo

(Ekiti) Alternative form of awo (“the worship of Ifá”)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of awo (“priest of Ifá or Ọrúnmìlà”)

(Ekiti, by extension) Alternative form of awo (“respected member of a guild; especially one of musicians and dramatists”)

awo

(Ekiti) a prefix in given names and surnames used by Ifa priests and their descendants


ao

From a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ò (“to look”)


pi

The name of the Latin-script letter P/p.


o

The name of the Latin-script letter O/o.


mi

The name of the Latin-script letter M/m.


mi

From mi used in solfège to represent the third note of a major scale.

The syllable used to represent the high-tone and its diacritic (´)


i

The name of the Latin-script letter I/i.


pupa

Compare with Ifè kpikpa, probably from a reduplication of pa (“to be red”), which follows the general pattern of the other basic color roots, which involve a duplication of monosyllabic verbs. See dúdú (“black”), a reduplication of dú (“to be dark”) and funfun, a reduplication of fun (“to be white”). Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *-kpa
Perhaps related to Fon kpákpá (“a tree with red wood”), proposed by Westerman to be derived from Proto-Volta-Congo *pia


uwe

Cognate with Yoruba ìwé. Possibly from ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wé (“to bind, to wrap”), literally “That which can be bound”. Compare with ewé and fi wé

affix

(Ekiti, Ijebu, Ondo, Idanre) book, paper


uwe

Cognates with Yoruba iwe, Ifẹ̀ Yoruba ighe


hi

The name of the Latin-script letter H/h.


ajo

àwọn ọmọ Nàìjá tó wà lájò

the Nigerian Diaspora (literally, “the Nigerians that are abroad”)


re

From re used in solfège to represent the second note of a major scale.

The syllable used to represent the mid-tone


were

→ Nigerian Pidgin: werey

one who claps for a lunatic to dance is no better than the lunatic

aṣápẹ́-fún-wèrè-jó àti wèrè, ọgbọọgba ni wọ́n

ebi ni yóò kọ́ wèrè lọ́gbọ́n

it is hunger that will force sense into the fool

(sometimes derogatory, offensive) mad person


dada

Alternative letter-case form of Dàda (“a child born with matted, curly hair”)


dodo

Noun sense derives from the ideophone sense.

rẹ̀ dòdò

Ara wọn rẹ̀ dòdò bíi ẹ̀jẹ̀.

Àwọn Yorùbá kì í wọ aṣọ tó bá rẹ̀ dòdò.

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

The Yoruba do not wear bright red clothes.

Ó rẹ̀ dòdò bí òòrùn alẹ́.

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

It turned deep red like the late evening sun.

Ó já sí pápá, ó rẹ̀ dòdò, ó so igba àdó mọ́rí.

It bursts into the open field, it comes out in deep red, it ties two hundred tiny gourds on its head (riddle = imí/ìgbẹ́ (feces))

Ìlẹ̀pa dòdò kì í jẹ́ kí òkú bẹ̀nìyàn wò.

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting A. Babalola, “dòdò”, in Orin Ọdẹ fún Àṣeyẹ, number LDC2008L03, 1973, Ibadan: Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd., page 26, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

The deep red laterite from fresh grave does not allow the dead to come and visit his relations.

12: Ojú rẹ̀ yóò rẹ̀ dòdò ju wáìnì lọ.

2009, “Gẹnẹsisi 49”, in Bíbélì Mímọ́ Yorùbá Òde Òn [Yoruba Contemporary Bible (YCB)], Biblica, Inc:

12: His eyes will become redder than wine.

(of an object) being deeply or richly red

dòdòòdò

of an object being very deeply or richly red

rẹ̀ dòdò

to be a deep red, (of a sauce) to look appetizing


dodo

→ English: dodo

→ Nigerian Pidgin: dodo

dín dòdò

Dòdò díndín kò ṣòro rárá.

Oúnjẹ tí mo fẹ́ràn ju ni dòdò. Oúnjẹ díndín ni dòdò. Dòdò kò ṣòro láti dín rárá.

1993 November 24, Antonia Yétúndé Fọlárìn Schleicher, Jẹ́ K'Á Sọ Yorùbá [Let's Speak Yoruba], Yale University, →ISBN, page 197:

My favorite food is fried plantain. It's a fried food. (Fried) Plantain isn't hard to fry at all.


dodo

The poison devil's-pepper, Rauvolfia vomitoria


dodo

The plants Adenia lobata and Adenia cissampeloides.


eye

Possibly related to etymology 2, but this is used in slightly more formal settings.

a term of familiarity or respect for an older woman, or older female relative, or a priestess


eye

Perhaps related to Edo iye and Yorùbá iye

a term of familiarity or respect for an older woman, or older female relative


kita

Probably from Edo ekita, see Igbo nkịta.

Olú ó pa kítà ọdẹ. ― Olu killed the hunter's dog. (Ìkálẹ̀)


mama

Probably influenced by English mama, may have existed before contact with English though. Possibly a corruption of mọ̀mọ́.

a term of endearment or respect for an older woman or female relative


ye

A jọ̀ọ́, yè i

(Idanre, Ondo) a term of endearment or respect for an older woman or female relative


do

From do used in solfège to represent the first tonic of a major scale.

Ẹ bá mi fàmì sí "pàtàkì"
pà-tà-kì dò-dò-dò
Help me tone mark "pàtàkì"
pà-tà-kì low-tone, low-tone, low-tone

The syllable used to represent the low-tone and its diacritic (`)


bi

The name of the Latin-script letter B/b.


ese

irọ́ ni, ẹ̀yìn èse kì í kanlẹ̀

It is impossible, a cat can never land on its back


ese

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sè (“To dye, to paint”).

ó sè é ní èsè


ese

dioscorea cayenensis
dioscorea cayenensis

(Ijebu) yellow yam, dioscorea cayenensis


ewe

Cognate with Itsekiri ìwé, perhaps also related to Edo èbé, Urhobo ẹbe, see Doublet of ìwé

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ewéview map

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

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

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

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

ewé-iná

Mucuna sloanei shrub, known for irritant hairs

ewédú

Corchorus olitorius shrub, also soup made from same plant

The leaves of the plants Thaumatococcus daniellii and Megaphrynium macrostachyum, which are used in wrapping foods.


ewe

Ọmọ Ọbalùú kò gbọ́dọ̀ jẹ ewè ― The subjects of the King (of the town of Ẹ̀fọ̀n) must never eat the ewe mushroom (The people of Ẹ̀fọ̀n regard it as a taboo to eat this specific species of mushroom)

A common species of edible fungi, Termitomyces robustus


ore

Edo: òré

Urhobo: eré

Cyperus esculentus
Cyperus esculentus#Translingual

the plants Cyperus articulatus and Cyperus esculentus, commonly used in making straw sleeping mats

(by extension) a straw sleeping mat, made from the òré plant


ore

Non-standard spelling of oore (“kindness, goodness, blessing”), see ire, ure, rere

Alternative form of oore (“kindness, goodness, blessing, favor”)


u

The name of the Latin-script letter U/u.


e

The name of the Latin-script letter E/e.


ile

→ Portuguese: ilê

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-lí. Cognates include Ifè ilé, Itsekiri ulí, Igala únyí, Ede Ije ńné, Olukumi ulé. Many dialects of Southeast Yoruba retain the form ulí.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iléview map

n̄léWEDNESDAYÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàiléWEDNESDAYỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́iléWEDNESDAYỌ̀húnbẹ́iléWEDNESDAYKétu/ÀnàgóÌláráiléWEDNESDAYÌmẹ̀kọiléWEDNESDAYKétuiléWEDNESDAYIfɛ̀AkpáréiléWEDNESDAYAtakpamɛiléWEDNESDAYBokoiléWEDNESDAYMoretaniléWEDNESDAYTchettiiléWEDNESDAYKuraAledjo-KourailéWEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYNorthern NagoKamboleiléWEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYManigriiléWEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYSouthern NagoÌsakétéiléWEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYÌfànyìniléWEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanailéWEDNESDAYNote: 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

(soccer, sports) goal (an area into which the players attempt to put an object)


aha

drinking calabash; a small cup carved out of a calabash used to drink palm wine and feed babies.


obi

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to give birth to”), literally “That who gives birth”.


obi

Cognate with Itsekiri óbì, Igala óbì. Possible cognates include Nupe ebì, Aghem ébiá. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-bì. A common folk etymology used in traditional prayers identifies it as from o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bì (“to remove, to spue”), literally “That which removes (impurities)”


ni

The name of the Latin-script letter N/n.


li

The name of the Latin-script letter L/l.


ti

The name of the Latin-script letter T/t.


si

The name of the Latin-script letter S/s.


ika

Ìkà ni wọ́n


idi

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-dì, compare with Igala újì, Itsekiri udìn, Ifè iɖì (“hawk”)
equivalent to i- + dì

eagle, usually referring to African species of the genera Aquila and Haliaeetus, (in particular) the African crowned eagle


idi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to pack together”)


idi

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìdíview map

ekiti ìdíEAGLEMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìùdíEAGLENorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàìdíEAGLEẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaìdíEAGLEÈkóÈkóìdíEAGLEÌbàdànÌbàdànìdíEAGLEÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràìdíEAGLEÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboìdíEAGLEỌ̀fàìdíEAGLEÌlọrinÌlọrinìdíEAGLEOǹkóÒtùǹdíEAGLEÌwéré IléǹdíEAGLEÒkèhòǹdíEAGLEÌsẹ́yìnǹdíEAGLEṢakíǹdíEAGLETedéǹdíEAGLEÌgbẹ́tìǹdíEAGLEỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ìdíEAGLEÒgbómọ̀ṣọ́ìdíEAGLEÌkirèìdíEAGLEÌwóìdíEAGLEStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàìdíEAGLEBɛ̀nɛ̀ìdíEAGLENortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaekitìdìEAGLEEde Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodeòkpìEAGLECábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́ɔmɔ́ìdíEAGLETchaourouɔmɔ́ìdíEAGLEÌcàBantèɔmɔ́ǹdíEAGLEÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàìkpɛ́EAGLEỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́ìdíEAGLEOnigboloɔbɔ̀EAGLEKétu/ÀnàgóKétuìdíEAGLEIfɛ̀Akpáréòkpĩ̀EAGLEAtakpamɛòkpĩ̀EAGLEBokoòkpìEAGLEEst-Monoòkpĩ̀EAGLEMoretanɔ̀bɔ́EAGLETchettiòkpìEAGLEKuraAwotébiìdíEAGLEEAGLEPartagoedíEAGLEEAGLEMɔ̄kɔ́léKandifítíEAGLEEAGLENorthern NagoKamboleɔmɔdíEAGLEEAGLEManigriɔmɔdíEAGLEEAGLESouthern NagoÌsakétéìdíEAGLEEAGLEÌfànyìnìdíEAGLEEAGLENote: 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


idi

ìdí tí mo fi ṣe é ni pé ó tọ́

The reason why I did this was because it was right


idi

The name for a variety of similar plants, including Terminalia schimperiana, Terminalia macroptera, Microdesmis puberula, and Terminalia avicennioides


baba

A term of respect or endearment for an older man, male relative, or a higher ranking man.

A title for a man of a specific occupation (ex. bàbá-alágbẹ̀dẹ (“blacksmith”)).


baba

ògòǹgò, baba ẹyẹ

The ostrich, the most revered of all the birds

orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá
orukọ amutọrunwa#Yoruba

A prefix for given names in the class orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá, given to children who are believed to be reincarnations of a male ancestor. (ex. Babájídé, Babátúndé).


baba

copper (chemical element, Cu, atomical number 29)


baba

Possibly from Etymology 3 (bàbà (“copper”)), in reference to the copper-like color of sorghum

Sorghum bicolor
Sorghum bicolor#Translingual

sorghum, millet, (in particular) Sorghum bicolor

dark red color, in comparison to the color of sorghum


baba

Adjective sense derives from ideophone sense

(of an object) to be quickly and rapidly hovering


awe

Táni àwé yẹn?


poo

A bucket serving as a traditional toilet, chamber pot


edo

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dó (“to be established, to be placed”)

wooden pole or stake, especially when erect


yi

The name of the Latin-script letter Y/y.


odi

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to block”)

opposite or converse of something; negative

O ti wọ òdì aṣọ.


odi

From o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to block”)

wọ́n ń ṣe odì pẹ̀lú ara wọn

They were having malice towards one another


odi

(Ijebu, historical) class of royal messengers


odi

ọmọ yẹ́n fa òdí yọ


odi

wall, fortress; (especially) walls around a city or town


odi

ọmọ́ ti ya odi


olio

From olí- (“one who has”) + ió (“money”).

(Ekiti) Alternative form of olówó (“rich person”)


akin

Akin

Yoruba name, and a shortening of many names with the prefix 'Akin'

A prefix used in male Yoruba given names, (ex. Akíndélé).


adan

Cognate with Itsekiri adán, Nupe èdán, Olukumi adan, Ayere àdã, Ifè àdán, Arigidi ada, possibly cognate with Igala ìdọ́, Urhobo adján, Idoma ùdọ́.

onílé etídò níí gbọ́ ìrànrán àdán

The owner of the riverside house is the one who hears the restlessness of the bat (Yoruba incantation)

bat, usually (in particular) the straw-colored fruit bat


ada

Cognate with Edo áda, possibly derived from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to split, to slice”)


ada

the tree Lophira lanceolata, commonly used in traditional herbal medicine


ago

Compare with Olukumi agó, Itsekiri ẹgó, Igala àgó, Ayere úgó (“navel”). Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *à-gó, from Proto-Edekiri *à-gó, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *à-gó. It is unclear if this word was used in Standard Yoruba as there are few texts that cite its existence in Standard Yoruba. It is possible that the word had become long obsolete in Standard Yoruba.

(anatomy, Ondo, Ikalẹ, Eastern Akoko, Ọwọ) hip, waist


aamu

ààmú ń dà á


gele

→ English: gele, gelee

we gèlè

Fún òde pàtàkì, obìnrin Yorùbá gbọ́dọ̀ ró ìró, ó gbọ́dọ̀ wọ bùbá, ó gbọ́dọ̀ we gèlè, ó sì gbọ́dọ̀ fi ìboorùn kọ́ èjìká.

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


apa

wastefulness, prodigality, a wasteful person, prodigal


apa

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ká. Cognate with Igbo aka (“arm/hand”), Nupe ekpá (“shoulder”), Olukumi áká (“shoulder, wing”), Igala íká (“wing”), possibly a Doublet of èjìká. The root is reconstructed to Proto-Niger-Congo *-ka (“hand”), where it is believed to have held the meaning "five." See Defaka ápá as well.

wọ́n gbé apá gangan sí wa

wọ́n kó apá kan

ó dúró sí apá ọ̀dọ̀ọ̀ mi


apa

wọ́n dòòyì ká apá, apá kò ká apá

They encircled and surrounded the African mahogany tree, but their hands never got the tree under their control (proverb on invincibility)


apa

àpá kì í jọ̀lọ̀ títí kó dàbí ara gidi

A scar does not fully heal up to become the natural skin (proverb on the permanent effect of any damage)


ibi

Ìbì omi òkun


ibi

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bi (“to question, enquire”)


ibi

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


ibi

Ibí l'a gbé sin baba

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ibíview map

ńbíbɛ́ABDOMINOSCOPYNote: 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


ibi

Ibi òmíràn-án jẹ́ ilẹ̀ rere; ibi òmíràn-án jẹ́ ilẹ̀ aṣálẹ̀

Some places have good soil, other places are barren land

Ibi ajá ni a ti ń mọ òkúrorò àpọ́n

It is from the perspective of the dog that we know of the mean bachelor (proverb on perspective)


ibi

Ijọ́ a bá ríbi ni ibi í wọlẹ̀

The day we see the placenta is the day we bury it in the ground


ibi

Wọ́n fi ibi san án fún olóore

Ibi bá wọ́n


ayo

→ English: ayo

òdù ayò

The hole in an ayo game board filled with seeds

Any of a variety of plants including Guilandina bonduc and Corchorus olitorius (ewédú)

bí ayò ó bá wọ ọ̀ta lára, á dígbà sọ ìsọkúsọ

When an expert ayo player becomes over-excited while ayo, he will occasionally utter some gibberish (proverb on over-excitement)

The strategy game ayo, a variety of the mancala or oware game played by the Yoruba, of which the seeds of the ayò plant are used in the game

mo pa á ní ayò

(by extension) A general term for any strategic game, competition, or pastime, hobby


aika

àì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + kà (“to read, to count”)


kura

An irredeemable person, unrepentant, hopeless, rogue


kura

Mò ń bu iyẹ̀pẹ̀ kùrà

Emphasizing the act of scooping or digging dirt with one's hands


oni

Cognate with Olukumi òní, Ifè òní, and likely cognate with Igala èñíni.

Òní ni ọjọ́-ìbí mi.

Òní l'a rí, ọba òkè l'ó rọ́la.

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

It is [only] today that we see, [only] the Most High sees tomorrow (proverb on divine supremacy)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òníview map

nɔ́mbɛ́CURRENT EVENTSNote: 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

Òní

a child who cries non-stop until its naming ceremony


odo

A very old term no longer used except in a few dialects, compare with Igala òkò, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ò-kò

Ọmọ yọyọ ni ti òdo

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting Fabunmi, M. A., 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:

Numerous children are a feature of the pig (incantation)


odo

Odò Ọya ni òdo t'ó tóbi jùlọ ní Ìwọ Oòrùn Áfíríkà.

The Niger River is the biggest river in West Africa.

Ẹ̀mí àbàtà níí módòó ṣàn; ọláa baba níí mú ọmọọ́ yan.

Just as the liveliness of the marshy land ensures the flowing of the river; so a father's good reputation makes a child feel proud (proverb admonishing good behavior)

Fáwẹ̀lì odò

Mo fi ọ̀rọ̀ náà sí odò inú mi.


odo

Mansonia altissima (Bété, mansonia, or African black walnut)


odo

Odo sílébù


odo

Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata (white yam, West African yam, Guinea yam, or white ñame)


odo

Cognate with Igbo odō and Edo odó, equivalent to o- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dó (“to pound”)

af

Níbo ni àwọn odó tí a máa ń lò láti gún iyán?.

Where are the pounding mortars that we use to pound yam?

Wọ́n ń gún iyán nínú odó.

They were pounding pounded yam food in a pounding mortar.

odókódó

any pounding mortar or a bad pounding mortar

olódó

a seller, owner, bearer or maker of mortars


di

The name of the Latin-script letter D/d.


inu

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri Proto-Edekiri *ɪ́-nʊ̃́ or Proto-Edekiri *ɪ́-lʊ̃́. Perhaps from the same root as Yoruba àánú (“mercy”), Yoruba ẹ̀nị́nụ́. Compare with Ifè inɔ́

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - inúview map

unúABEde Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodeinɔ̃́ABCábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́inɔ́ABTchaourouinɔ́ABÌcàBantèinṹABÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàinúABỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́inɔ́ABOnigboloinɔ́ABKétu/ÀnàgóKétuinúABIfɛ̀Akpáréinɔ̃́ABAtakpamɛinɔ̃́ABBokoinṹABEst-Monoinɔ̃́ABMoretaninɔ̃́ABTchettiinɔ̃́ABKuraAwotébiénɔABABPartagonɔ̃́ABMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiinɔ̃́ABNorthern NagoKamboleinɔ̃́ABManigriinɔ̃́ABNote: 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


saari

From Hausa sàhûr̃, ultimately from Arabic سَحُور (saḥūr).

(Islam) suhur, a pre-dawn breakfast during the Ramadan fasting


asin

Cognate Igala áhí, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-sĩ́


io

Cognate with Nupe ewó, Edo ígho, Urhobo ígho


nama

Borrowed from Hausa nāmā̀, ultimately from Benue-Congo.


ira

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

(Ilajẹ) family, relative, friend, acquaintance


ira

Several plants of the Euphorbiaceae or Phyllanthaceae families such as Bridelia Micrantha, traditionally used as a purgative


ira

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rà (“to decay, to be rotten”)


ira

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rà (“to buy”)


ira

The plant Rauvolfia Vomitoria, often used in traditional medicine


ira

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rá (“to crawl”)


ira

i- (“non-gerundive nominalizer”) + rà (“to decay, to decompose”), literally “That in which decomposition occurs”


ire

Compare with oore (“blessing”) and rere (“goodness”)

ire l'ó pé, ìkà kò pé

Only goodness brings a positive result, wickedness does not

A prefix used in unisex given names (ex. Irégbèmí)


ire

bákùkọ́ bá ń kọ, jìnnìjìnnnì níí mú ìré ìdí i rẹ̀

when a rooster crows, a state of vibration will overwhelm its tail feathers


ire

wọ́n ń ṣiré erùpẹ̀


ule

Cognates include Itsekiri ulí, Olukumi ulé, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *u-lé, from Proto-Edekiri *u-lí, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-lí

(Ekiti, Ijebu, Ilajẹ, Ijesha, Idanre) home, house, household


abo

canopy, normally used to conceal the coming of a king


abo

ọ̀rọ̀ yẹ́n mú mi ní àbo

àbo mí mú un

My charm caught him and caused him to behave irrationally


abo

Annona senegalensis
Annona senegalensis#Translingual


ode

wọ́n ké sí gbogbo òde


ala

purity, white cloth, a symbol of the god Ọbàtálá


ala

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lá (“to dream”).

affix

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àláview map

ị̀láUMSONSTÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́àláUMSONSTNorthwest YorubaÈkóÈkóàláUMSONSTÌbàdànÌbàdànàláUMSONSTÌlọrinÌlọrinàláUMSONSTỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́àláUMSONSTÒgbómọ̀ṣọ́àláUMSONSTÌkirèàláUMSONSTÌwóàláUMSONSTStandard YorùbáNàìjíríààláUMSONSTNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaàlàUMSONSTEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpáréàláUMSONSTAtakpamɛàláUMSONSTEst-MonoàláUMSONSTTchettiàláUMSONSTNote: 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


aba

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ba (“to brood, to incubate”)


aba

(Ekiti) a term of familiarity or respect for an older man or male relative


ojo

Compare with Olukumi òzò, perhaps from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jò (“to leak, drip”)

af

òjò ó pa wa


ojo

ojo pátápátá gbáà ni ẹ́


pere

Adverb sense derives from ideophone sense

(of an object) being only some amount or quantity


ita

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

affix

(Ilajẹ, Ọwọ, Ikalẹ, Ào) Alternative form of ata (“pepper”)


oko

Cognate with Igala óko, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ko


oko

From Proto-Yoruboid *ó-kó. Compare with dó (“to have sex”), akọ (“male”) and ọkọ (“husband”).


erin

Cognate with Urhobo eni, Edo ení, Igbo enyi, Igala éli, Olukumi erin, in many cognate languages, this form was replaced by a form seen in Nupe dagba, Idoma adagba, Igala adagba. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-lĩ or Proto-Yoruboid *é-nĩ. See Benue-Congo cognates, Ibibio eniin, Tee ni, Proto-Lower Cross River *é-nì:n, Proto-Ogoni *ǹnĩ, Westerman constructs a possible reconstruction to Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-ni-, and also suggests that it probably is of the same root as the root for four, thereby being a distant Doublet of ẹ̀rin

Erín wó

The mighty one has fallen (said when a respected person dies)

a nickname for a mighty person, in comparison to an elephant


erin

The tree Picralima nitida and its seeds, which are used for traditional medicine


erin

The plant Hunteria umbellata, traditionally used to make arrow poison and used in traditional medicine


erin

From Proto-Yoruba *o-rĩ, *e-rĩ, from Proto-Edekiri *e-rĩ, *o-rĩ, ultimately from Proto-Yoruba *é-lĩ. The use of e-/o- suffixes signify the retention of an obsolete singular/plural noun market that has been obsolete since Proto-Yoruboid. Compare with Olukumi orin, Ifè orin, Itsekiri ẹrín, Igala éli

(Ekiti, Eastern Akoko) Alternative form of orin (“song”)


araba

Replaced the older Yoruboid forms, ogungun or egigun


oi

Oi é è yọ̀n yéye. ― Corn pap isn't very tasty. (Oǹdó)

Inọ́n ùkòkò dínún òun oi fifun tì jáde í. ― It is from inside a black pot that white corn pap comes from. (Oǹdó)

(Ondo) A type of Yoruba food made from cornflour typically eaten with mọ́ínmọ́ín or àkàrà.


bode

(by extension) a point of entry; entrance


ere

From Proto-Yoruba *e-rè, from Proto-Edekiri *e-rè, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *é-lè, compare with Igala élè, Olukumi érè

python, specifically the Ball python, regarded as a symbol of the rainbow spirit, Òṣùmàrè


ere

ó gbẹ́ igi ní ère

ọdún Ère

A festival celebrated by the people of Èsìẹ́


ere

Brazilian Portuguese: erê

eléré

dramatist, stage actor, player, comedian, athlete

Ẹ kúrò nídìí ìdò, eré ọmọdé ni

Stop playing with the ido seeds, it's a child's game

Eré tí ajá fogún ọdún sá; ìrìn fàájì ni fẹ́ṣin

The race that took the dog twenty years to run is a leisurely stroll for the horse.

mo ń ṣe eré ni


ere

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ré (“to swell”).


ere

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ré (“to curse”).

ó fi wá ré èré


ana

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ná (“to spend”), literally “that which time has already been spent on”.


ana

ìmàna

a ceremony before a wedding where the bride and groom's families formally meet


ege

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gé (“to cut”).


magi

From English Maggi, which was genericized from the name of the company and product, named after Swiss entrepreneur Julius Maggi.

named-after

sugbon ao le se'be ka ma fi magi si lode oni. Bi a ba tie fi iru si, ao tun fi magi die si tori oun na ni awon eroja asara loore (ṣùgbọ́n a ò lè sebẹ̀ ká má fi magí sí lóde òní. Bí a bá tiẹ̀ fi irú sí, a ó tún fi magí díẹ̀ sí torí òun náà ní àwọn èròjà aṣaralóore)

2014-7-12, @bodex4mama, Twitter :https://twitter.com/bodex4mama/status/488057808089534464

But we can't cook stew without adding stock cubes nowadays. Even if we use iru [locust beans], we'll still add some of stock cubes because it has nutrients too.

genericized trademark
genericized trademark

(genericized trademark) bouillon cube; stock cube (regardless of brand)


akaka

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kàkà (“intense effort”), literally “that which is of intense effort”


owe

Folk etymology explains that it comes from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wé (“to wrap, to twist”), literally “That which wraps something around something else (another meaning)”.


owe

a species of black monkey; (in particular) Collared mangabey

agbọ̀n la ó fi kó ọmọ òwè níbẹ̀

If the colobus monkey breaks its arm while suspended from a tree, Collard mangabeys will be scooped off the place by the basketful

ikú tó pa òwè ń pòwe fún ẹdun

the death that killed the Collared mangabey sends a proverbial message to the colobus monkey


wi

The name of the Latin-script letter W/w.


aka

desc

ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀nká

Yoruba: ọ̀gụ̀nrụ̀nká (“shoulder”)

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ká. Cognate with Igbo aka (“arm/hand”), Nupe ekpá (“shoulder”), Olukumi áká (“shoulder, wing”), Igala íká (“wing”), Itsekiri iká, possibly a Doublet of èjìká. The root is reconstructed to Proto-Niger-Congo *-ka (“hand”), where it is believed to have held the meaning "five." See Defaka ápá as well


aka

The plant Cynometra mannii in the genus Cynometra


aka

a storage for farm produce, barn, root cellar


ki

The name of the Latin-script letter K/k.


fi

The name of the Latin-script letter F/f.


ulu

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lù (“to beat”). Literally, “that which is beaten”.

affix

(Ekiti, Ijesha) Alternative form of ìlù (“drum, percussion”)


ulu

Ọba òun ùjòyè wà núlùú. ― The monarch and the chiefs are in the city. (Ìjẹ̀bú)

(Ekiti, Ijebu, Ijesha, Ikalẹ, Ondo, Ọwọ) city, town, country


gi

The name of the Latin-script letter G/g.


anti

auntie, a term of familiarity or respect for a middle-aged or elderly woman.


titi

→ Hausa: tītī̀


elu

Unique to Ifẹ̀, it serves as a very common name prefix

(Ifẹ) Alternative form of ìlú (“town, community”)

(Ifẹ) Alternative form of ìlú (“chief, elder”)


ri

The name of the Latin-script letter R/r.


fada

wọ́n tẹ́ fádà ijó

A public display or performance, normally performed for a king in his court or palace


oro

Cognate with Igala óló, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ló


oro

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ró (“to be up, to be independently straight”).


oro

Irvingia gabonensis
Irvingia gabonensis#Translingual


odio

An archaic term, only found in the praises and oríkì of deities like Ọlọ́fịn, Olú orókè, and Ọlụ́ayé, and certain kings, such as the Olúkàrẹ́, Déjì, Aláwẹ̀, and Èwí. See SEY form òdígho, which may suggest a Proto-Edekiri root, or inter-dialectal borrowings.

Olú orókè òdío ooooo
Olú orókè, hail the king

(archaic, Ekiti, Eastern Akoko, Ifẹ) king


labalaba

(of an object) being distinctly light and floppy


labalaba

Labalábá fi ara ẹ̀ wẹ́yẹ, kò lè ṣe iṣẹ́ ẹyẹ.

The butterfly compares itself to a bird, but cannot do what a bird does.


jamba

/d͡ʒà.ŋ̀.bá/

Said to come from a term of Arabic origin, possibly from Arabic ذَنْب (ḏanb)

an accident (that causes physical damage)


agbe

Perhaps related to Yoruba ogbe (“crest, cockscomb”)

Corythaeola cristata
Corythaeola cristata#Translingual

great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata)


agbe

vessel traditionally made from a calabash used for fetching water


egbe

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbè (“to support; to sing a chorus of a song”)


egbe

From e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbè (“to be next to someone or something”)

a town outside from one's hometown; a neighboring town to one's hometown


egbe

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to cease to exist”)

ègbé ń bọ̀ fún aṣebi

a state of destruction, annihilation or perishment


egbe

From e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to carry off”)

a traditional charm believed to allow one to become invisible


koko

a kì í mọ̀ ọ́n gún mọ̀ ọ́n tẹ̀ kí iyán ewùrà máà ní kókó


digo

From dí (“to cover”) + ìgò (“bottle”), literally “to cover the bottle”. Noun sense derives from verb sense.


akan

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-kɪ̃ã̀rã́. Cognates include Nupe kara, Igala íkáakàla, Olukumi akakara, Khana àka, Ayere anká


jan

(idiomatic) to fail an examination or test


oye

honor, respect, a title given to a chieftain or chief


oye

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ye (“to understand”)


asia

Lucumí: asia

áà! ẹgbẹ́ẹ̀ mi, ẹ wo àsíá b'ó ti ń fẹ́ lẹlẹ!

Behold, my fellow compatriots, look how our flag billows cheerfully in the wind!


ibo

ajábọ̀ bíbáyọrí-ìbò

incumbent politician running for reelection

(Yoruba religion) a device used in a form of cleromancy done in divination. This device consists of cowries, bones, and other objects as a way to get the solution to a specific problem.


ibo

ẹmu náàá kan bí ìbó

the palm wine was as sour as the ìbó plant

The name for several plants of the family Apocynaceae that are known for their sour taste. They include Landolphia dulcis, Ancylobotrys scandens (from the genus Ancylobothrys), Saba comorensis, species, and Saba thompsonii.

ọmọ́ lọ ká ìbó

The child is dead (literally, “The child went and picked the ìbó plant”)


imu

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-ŋmʊ̃́. Cognate with Igbo imi and Igala ímọ́

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - imúview map

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


iho

From Proto-Yoruboid *á-wò or Proto-Yoruboid *ú-wò, cognate with Igala áwò. The transition from /w/ to /h/ in Standard Yoruba is systematic, with Central Yoruba and Southeast Yoruba dialects maintaining /w/ or deleting the /w/.


iki

Mo mẹmu, mo mobì, mi ò mọ ẹranko ẹ̀, mo jẹ́wọ́, ẹ jọ̀ọ́. // Ṣé ẹ máa ń gbọ́ ẹranko tí wọ́n ń pè ní 'ikì?

2016, ApreelTV+, Odunlade Adekola's interview on GbajumoTV, 0:52–1:08:

I know of palm wine and kolanut, but not that animal, I give up. // Have you heard of the animal called potto?


etu

Compare with Olukumi ẹtú, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *V-tú, *è-tú, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *V-tú. May either be cognate with Àhàn atu, or Ahan may have borrowed this term from Ekiti

ẹ̀tú

Ifọ́n, Ọ̀wọ̀


etu

From Proto-Yoruba *e-tu, from Proto-Edekiri *e-tu, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *á-tu

ẹ̀tú

Ifọ́n, Ọ̀wọ̀

(Ekiti) duiker; (in particular) Maxwell's duiker


etu

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *e-tù

ẹ̀tú

Ifọ́n, Ọ̀wọ̀


etu

ẹ̀tú

Ifọ́n, Ọ̀wọ̀

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ẹtù (“guinea fowl”)


ori

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-ríɣo, *o-rí, from Proto-Edekiri *o-ríɣo, *o-rí, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ɗí, *ó-dí. Cognate with Igala ójí. The compounding of the suffix "ɣo" (later "wo") is possibly an Proto-Edekiri innovation still maintained in a majority of Edekiri languages, and the non-suffixed version likely existed side by side. However, Ayere ago may suggest it is a remnant of an older root. See potential non-Yoruboid cognates, Arigidi igíri, Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀tʊ́è, Proto-Grassfields *tú, Proto-Plateau *-tii, Proto-Benue-Congo *-to, possibly Igbo isi, Akpes ìcùm, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-li- or Proto-Niger-Congo *-túi, *-tu
Cognate with Ede Idaca erío, Ifè eríwo, Olukumi órí, and Itsekiri orígho.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - oríview map

oíABDESTỌ̀wọ̀Ọ̀wọ̀oríghoABDESTUsẹnUsẹnoríABDESTÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹoríghoABDESTOlùkùmiUgbódùóríABDESTProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìoríABDESTÒdè ÈkìtìoríABDESTÒmùò ÈkìtìoríABDESTAwó ÈkìtìoríABDESTÌfàkì ÈkìtìoríABDESTÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́oríABDESTMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìoríABDESTIfẹ̀Ilé Ifẹ̀oríABDESTÒkè IgbóÒkè IgbóoríABDESTNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàoríABDESTẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaoríABDESTÈkóÈkóoríABDESTÌbàdànÌbàdànoríABDESTÌgbómìnàÌlá Ọ̀ràngúneríABDESTÌfẹ́lódùn LGAeríABDESTÌrẹ́pọ̀dùn LGAeríABDESTÌsin LGAeríABDESTÌlọrinÌlọrineríABDESTOǹkóÌwéré IléeíABDESTÒkèhòoríABDESTÌsẹ́yìneríABDESTṢakíeríABDESTTedéoríABDESTÌgbẹ́tìeríABDESTỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́oríABDESTStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàoríABDESTBɛ̀nɛ̀oríABDESTNortheast Yoruba

éwoABDESTMoretaneéwoABDESTKuraAwotébióríABDESTABDESTPartagoéríABDESTABDESTMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiiríABDESTABDESTNorthern NagoKamboleeéwoABDESTABDESTManigrieéwoABDESTABDESTSouthern NagoÌsakétéeríABDESTABDESTÌfànyìneríABDESTABDESTOverseas YorubaLucumíHavanaoríABDESTNote: 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

(Yoruba religion) the metaphysical concept of one's spiritual intuition, destiny, and consciousness, deified as a divinity, Orí.


ori

(Ekiti) A type of Yoruba food made from cornflour, also known as ẹ̀kọ


jaa

the tree Ehretia cymosa, commonly used in traditional medicine


aro

wọ́n ń lu aro


aro

From a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rò (“to say, to lament”)

af

dirge, lamentation; usually during a funeral


aro

a type of yam; Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata


ara

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-la, cognates include Igala ọ́la.


ara

Ará Ìbàdàn


fila

Ultimately from Hausa fū̀lā, perhaps through Nupe fùla.

hat, cap (in particular) the traditional Yoruba caps worn by males.


iri

Probably cognate with Igala élì and Olukumi èrìrì


iri

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”)

the act of seeing, sighting, or discovering


rege

Borrowed from English reggae, from Jamaican Creole rege (“rags; a quarrel”).

der

(music) reggae (a music genre from Jamaica)


pako

chewing stick; used for brushing one's teeth

a plant of species Vernonia amygdalina, of which its sticks are used to make the chewing stick. Along with other members of the genus Vernonia, it is known as ewúro, and its bitter leaves are used in many stews and soups. It is also used as a purgative.


pako

wine bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica), of tropical Africa


horo

Noun sense derives from ideophone sense, the root may be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɣó (“small”), which may link this word as a Doublet of owó (money)

(of a small round object) being in small quantity


abata

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bàtà (“ideophone representing something heavy and thick”)


a

The name of the Latin-script letter A/a.


agan

(sometimes derogatory) A barren woman, a childless woman


ase

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sè (“to cook”).


afin

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fín (“to be clean, to be white”)

ọ̀rọ̀ tí àfín báá sọ, Òrìṣà l'ó sọ ọ́

The words an albino person says, the deity known as Òrìṣà was the one who said it


ete

Likely a Doublet of èdè, see there for more information, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *-dè (“tongue”)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ètèview map

Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpárébèbèlè-arũUMSONSTNote: 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


ete

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + te (“to peel something from the body or stem”).


alere

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lé (“on top of”) + orí (“head, surface”)


atari

From àtà + orí (“head”), compare with Yoruba àtàbútọ̀n

òòrún kan àtàrí


aza

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-byá. Cognates include Igala ábíá and Olukumi ázá.


igi

Erythrophleum suaveolens
Ficus thonningii
Parinari curatellifolia
Triplochiton scleroxylon

Cognate with Ede Idaca egi and Igala íji (“firewood”), proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *í-gĩ. Compare with orín (“chewing stick”)

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - igiview map

Gbẹ́nàgbẹ́nà Àbárìṣà, ó fi igba igi gbẹ́ ọpọ́n; ó ní kí wọ́n sọ fún Àbárìṣà pé òun kò tí ì gbẹ́ nǹkankan

The carpenter of Àbárìṣà, he uses two-hundred trees to carve a canoe, he then said they should tell Àbárìṣà that he has not carved anything at all


isu

(chiefly NWY) Alternative form of iṣu (“yam”)


imi

From i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mí (“to breathe; to give life to”). Doublet of ẹ̀mí, èmí, and ìmí. Cognate with Olukumi imí

Ifámímíkòmí

Yoruba name meaning "Ifa bestowed me with strength"


imi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mì (“to swallow”)


imi

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + mí (“to breath”). Doublet of ẹ̀mí, èmí, and imí


iwa

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wà (“to be; to exist”)


iwa

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wà (“to skim”)


iro

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ró (“to wrap”), probably from Proto-Yoruboid *ù-ló, compare with Igala ùló

a cloth wrapped around a woman's lower body, usually made with six yards of fabric


iro

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ró (“to sound”)

(by extension) distant news or information on someone or something


iro

a general term for any species of great ape; gorilla, chimpanzee


iro

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rò (“to think”), see èrò (“thought”)


iro

Compare with Igala ílo, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *í-lo


mita

meter, metre (unit of measurement, 100 cm)


warawara

Omijé ń dà wàràwàrà

Wàràwàrà ni àkàrà ń tà

Akara is a best seller (literally, “Akara is selling in a flowing manner”)


kokoro

kokoro; a Nigerian street snack made from a paste of maize flour mixed with sugar and gàrí (cassava flour) or yam flour which is deep-fried.


uta

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

affix

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

ita

Ìlàjẹ, Ọ̀wọ̀, Ìkálẹ̀


gomina

/ɡó.mĩ̀.nã̀/


eso

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *èʃo. Cognates include Igala ɛ̀ro. Equivalent to è- (“nominalizing prefix for verbs”) + so (“to bear fruit”), literally “That which is borne”


ike

Originally referring to elephant ivory, attested as celluloid in R.C. Abraham's 1958 dictionary, the semantic change was likely influenced by the production of celluloid, which was often made to resemble ivory.

àgbáǹréré wó wọ́n fìwo rẹ̀ kùn lósùn rúbú-rúbú

Báàgì tó o rà yìí, ike ni


ike

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ké (“to shout, to cry out”)


ata

From a- (“agent prefix”) + ta (“to be peppery, to be spicy”), literally “that which is peppery”, cognate with Igala áta

ita

Ìlàjẹ, Ìkálẹ̀, Ọ̀wọ̀


iru

Irú ẹja wo leléyìí?


iru

Cognate with Igala úlú, probably derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ú-lú


iru

→ English: iru

From Clipping of irúgbàá, ultimately from irú (“seed”) + ìgbá (“the tree Parkia biglobosa”), literally “seed of the Parkia biglobosa”.


iru

loyalty, allegiance; especially to a higher authority


ji

The name of the Latin-script letter J/j.


riba

From Hausa r̃ìba, or Hausa r̃ībā̀ ultimately from Arabic رِبًا (riban) or Arabic رِبْح (ribḥ).


oku

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kú (“to die”).


iwi

A form of Yoruba oral poetry, consisting of chanting and invocation performed by worshippers of the Egúngún


ole

Compare with Itsekiri olè, ultimately a Proto-Edekiri innovation, see Proto-Edekiri *o-lè, which likely displaced *ó-jí (“thief”)


ole

(Ekiti) the tree Canarium schweinfurthii


upe

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pè (“to call”)

(chiefly CY and SEY) pronunciation, calling

(chiefly CY and SEY) call, invitation, summon

(chiefly CY and SEY) traditional horn or trumpet


fuku

→ Ayere: ifùkù

Perhaps from Baatonum fukɔ or maybe of ideophonic origin

(zootomy) lungs, any soft internal organ like the lungs, spleen; especially the one of an animal


iku

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

prefix

(euphemisms)


iga

Cognate with Edo ùghà, Itsekiri ùghà, probably ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ʊ̀-ɣà, but also possibly an Edo loan word. Also see Proto-Yoruba *ʊ̀-ɣà. The palace of the Oba of Lagos is known as ìgà, which may suggest this term is likely an Edo term, perhaps borrowed into Proto-Edekiri or a later stage of Yoruba.

Wọ́n ń bẹ ní ìgà

a courtyard, particularly one of a palace or royal compound.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìgàview map

OkunOwéKabbaalẹ́deDENOTATIONNote: 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


fura

A boiled millet paste that can be crushed in water or milk and eaten like a pap or porridge, similar to ẹ̀kọ


epe

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pè (“to call”)

af

àwòdì jẹun èpè sanra

the kite fattens itself with cursed food


igo

Àgbàdo inú ìgò, ó di àwòmọ́jú fún adìyẹ.

Corn inside a bottle is viewed with distain by the chicken.


ose

wọ́n gbé ẹbọ sí ìdí igi osè

They placed the sacrifice at the base of the baobab tree


ida

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to divide, to split”).


ida

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to create, to make”).


ida

Adéṣidà

A Yoruba name meaning, "The crown has not behaved wickedly."


apo

ikú ọdẹ ń bẹ nínú apó

What will be the death of the hunter is lurking inside the quiver

Aníkúlápó

A Yoruba name meaning, One who has death in their quiver


apo

The tree Cola acuminata, the kola nut comes from this plant


ogu

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-gwũ. Cognates include Ifè ogu, Yoruba ogun, Igala ógwu, and Olukumi ogun.


ogu

Cognates with Ifè ogú, Yoruba ogún, Igala ógwú


buka

→ English: buka

→ Nigerian Pidgin: buka

From Hausa bukkā̀ (“hut”), from Songhay language, ultimately from Mandingo bùgú.

A type of pepper stew made in búkà restaurants


ibu

Ẹjalónibúṣọlá

The fish comes from the deep; The fish comes from the deep and is honorable; Yoruba name meaning

(by extension) any deep body of water; sea, ocean


ibu

a fall; (especially) accidental; the act of accidentally falling


ibu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bú (“to insult, yell, roar”)

af

the act of roaring; (especially) of animals


ibu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bù (“to scoop, to chip”)

the act of chipping of or from some substance


ibu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bù (“to be dusty”)


oto

Compare with Ede Idaca àtò, Yoruba àtò (Owe), Fon àtò, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *à-tò

(Ekiti) a general word for any of the various species of monkey


laba

Ààrẹ ọ̀nà Kakaǹfò
Aarẹ ọna Kakanfo#Yoruba

A Yoruba traditional leather attire similar to a kilt that is worn by priests of the orisha, like the Mọgbà or chiefs, such as the Ààrẹ ọ̀nà Kakaǹfò.


ina

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-nɪ̃ã́ or Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-nã́, cognate with Igala úná, Olukumi úná, Ifè iná, see Proto-Yoruboid entry *ʊ́-nã́ for more cognates. Ultimately from Proto-Volta-Congo *-na-

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ináview map

paná

to turn off light, stamp out, quench, put out, dampen, defuse, quell

tanná

to turn on light, fuel, trigger, spark, bloom, kindle, ignite


ina

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + nà (“to beat, to whip”)


ina

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + na (“to stretch”)


ina

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

expenditure of money, the act of spending (money)


aga

Tree hyrax; (in particular) the Dendrohyrax interfluvialis


aga

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


aga

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


wara

a kind of Fulani cheese, similar to cottage cheese


ure

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


aya

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


ila

Asystasia gangetica
Telfairia occidentalis

wọ́n ń ká ilá tí kò gbó

A mucilaginous stew or soup made from okra

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

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


ila

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

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


ila

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


tira

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


uda

(Ekiti) The red ironwood tree, Lophira alata


uda

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


irin

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - irinview map

iron (chemical element, Fe, atomic number 26)


irin

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

af

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìrìnview map


olu

leader, head, chief; prominent one, hero

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


olu

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


jiga

→ English: chigoe, chigger

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

One must do things thoroughly, not by halves.


iboji

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


iboji

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


uwa

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


tete

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


bata

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


bata

→ English: bata

→ Portuguese: batá

→ Spanish: batá

→ Nupe: bàǹtá

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


urere

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


usi

(Ekiti) notability, prosperity, prestige


ade

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

Adéṣidà

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

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

the top part of something
the top part of a tree


osi

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - òsìview map

òsìABIDINGNote: 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

Òsì

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

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


rara

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


opin

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

af

Ọdún ń lọ sópin.


imisi

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


asun

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

af

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


aja

Lucumí: ayá

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


aisan

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


eroja

ingredients, required items for specific use

èròjà oògùn

chemical, ingredients for drug preparation


auta

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

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


erigi

Ẹ ó fọwọ́ pawú, ẹ ọ́ ferìgì jobì

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


yara

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

cog

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - yàráview map

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


saa

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


kanka

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

speech; or a person; speech; or a person


iyun

Adéṣiyùn

Yoruba given name meaning "Royalty has made coral beads"

Aríyùnkẹ́

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

Iyùnadé

Yoruba given name meaning "Red coral beads of royalty"

Iyùnlọlá

Yoruba given name meaning "Coral beads are honorable

Ọládiyùn

Yoruba given name meaning "Honor has become coral beads

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


atike

ọmọbìnrín kun àtíkè


orin

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


orin

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

orín àyàn

Distemonanthus benthamianus; type of chewing stick


omi

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

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

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


korona

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

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

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


ajako

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


narun

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

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


opo

Íńtánẹ́ẹ̀tì jẹ́ òpó kan pàtàkì nínú ìbánisọ̀rọ̀ òde òní.

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

(figuratively) pillar; backbone; nucleus


dede

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

Ọlọ́un á kẹ́ dede ẹni

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbogboview map


ilu

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

affix

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


ilu

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

(music) percussion instruments (in particular) drums


osun

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

af

(Oǹdó)


osun

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


iba

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


iba

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


iba

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


taba

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


ilari

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


iwure

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


adiro

traditional Yoruba oven or stove and stand


adiro

a type of long Yoruba hat mainly worn by hunters


esi

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

warthog, hog; (in particular) red river hog


esi

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

Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbita pepo#Translingual


agira

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


oke

mo gun òkè náà dé orí


suura

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


uhin

Possibly related to Ekiti Yoruba òsìlò, ọ̀bẹsìlò

Ó mú ùhìn bẹ uṣu


kuki

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

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

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


kaa

Possibly from Baatonum karà (“garden, fence”)


sibi

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

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

Sìbí

the traditional festival in which sìbí is danced


iya

ìyá ni wúrà iyebíye

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

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


gari

A liquid food made with cassava flour and water


taara

Máa lọ tààrà


sakara

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

one of the four drum families among the Yoruba people


ede

Lucumí: ede

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

èdè rẹ kò tí ì yé mi


oje

lead (chemical element, Pb, atomical number 82)


oje

òjé ni ó ń yọ́ fún wọn


sisi

From English six, compare with Igbo sisì

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


wahala

→ Krio: wahala

→ Nigerian Pidgin: wahala

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


palaka

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

tree fork, the forked branches of a tree


ọbọnbọn

/ɔ̀.bɔ̃̀.ũ̀.bɔ̃̄.ũ̀/

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

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


igbọnwọ

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.wɔ́/

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


igbọnwọ

ìgbọnwọ́ (canonical)
ìgbọ̀nwọ́ (canonical)

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.wɔ́/

/ì.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.wɔ́/


agbako

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

af

(literally) that which is swayed to encounter another

(idiomatic) accident, misfortune, mishap


aayan

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


agunfọn

/à.ɡũ̀.fɔ̃̄/

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

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

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


gbigba

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


gbigba

Partial reduplication of gbá (“to beat”)


adaba

→ Nupe: dàbà


aniyan

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

Àníyàn mi ni pé mo máa ṣe é parí

My expectation is that I would finish the task

aspiration, anxiety, concern, desire, hope


kẹtẹkẹtẹ

head

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

yo-pos

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

yo-noun

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

→ Edo: ekẹtẹkẹtẹ

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


ologbo

→ Edo: ólógbò

→ Igbo: ònogbò

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


inaki

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


ekute

àìsínílé-ológìnní, ilé di ilé èkúté

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

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


kọlọkọlọ

head

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

yo-pos

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

yo-noun

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀

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

cog

kɔ̀lɔ̀kɔ̀lɔ̀


kọlọkọlọ

Ọ̀nà tó lọ sí orí òkè ṣe kọ́lọkọ̀lọ

The road that goes to the mountain peak is windy

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


amọtẹkun

/à.mɔ̃̀.tɛ́.kũ̀/

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


ologoṣẹ

/ō.ló.ɡō.ʃɛ́/


emurẹn

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


emurẹn

/ē.mũ̄.ɾɛ̃́/


emurẹn

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


agbanrere

/à.ɡ͡bá.ŋ̀.ɾé.ɾé/

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

a species of large antelope (in particular) roan antelope

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

(mythology) nickname for a unicorn-like creature


awodi

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


ẹliri

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


alantakun

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


gunugun

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


ọkẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.kɛ́.ɾɛ́/

ọ̀- + kẹ́rẹ́


ẹsan

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


odidẹrẹ

/ō.dí.dɛ̄.ɾɛ́/

Psittacus erithacus
Psittacus erithacus#Translingual

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


agbo

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

af

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


ọkun

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


kannakanna

Possibly related to Nupe kwankwa, ultimately Onomatopoeic


ikede

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


ikoko

pot, multipurpose pot traditionally made of clay.


owiwi

→ Krio: owiwi

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


alabasta

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

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

Archaic spelling of alabásítà (“alabaster”).


ọṣa

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


ẹlẹdẹ

→ Hausa: àladḕ

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.dɛ̀/

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


akẹ

ọmọ àkẹ̀

someone who is stubborn (in comparison to a goat)


akẹ

seagull, specifically the Grey-headed gull


agbọnrin

/à.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.ɾĩ́/

Tragelaphus scriptus
Tragelaphus scriptus#Translingual

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


ibaaka

canary, specifically the Yellow-fronted canary


ẹṣin

→ Edo: ẹsin

Borrowed from Arabic حِصَان (ḥiṣān), see Olukumi ẹsi


ibakasiẹ

ìbakasíẹ (canonical)
ìbákasíẹ (canonical)


oṣu

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


ọbọ

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


ọbọ

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

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

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

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

Ọ̀bọ ni wọ́n.

Ọlọ́run nìkan ṣoṣo l'ó gbọ́n, ọ̀bọ lènìyàn.

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


tolotolo

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


pẹpẹyẹ

Baatonum: kpákpáyẹ

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - pẹ́pẹ́yẹview map


ọdẹ

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

affix

(offensive, derogatory) stupid person, idiot


ọdẹ

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

Ọdẹ

the spirit of hunting symbolized by the many Yoruba hunting deities

ọlọ́dẹ

the head of the worshippers of the hunting deity Ọ̀ṣọ́sì

ọdẹ t'ó tọ́dẹ níí perin

Only an accomplished hunter can kill an elephant

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


ọya

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


ọya

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

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

including speakers of the Akure sub-dialect


ẹfọn

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


ẹfọn

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


ẹfọn

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


aparo

Pternistis bicalcaratus
Pternistis bicalcaratus#Translingual

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


akọ

→ Portuguese: ocó

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

ọmọ́ ṣe akọ

ọ̀rọ̀ọ́ yakọ

a tough or difficult situation, behavior

akọ àrùn gbọ̀fungbọ̀fun


kiniun

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - kìnìúnview map

kị̀nnị̀ụ́nGNU FDLÒdè Èkìtìị̀kị̀nnị̀únGNU FDL

kị̀nnị̀ụ́nGNU FDLÒmùò Èkìtìị̀kị̀nnị̀únGNU FDL

kị̀nnị̀ụ́nGNU FDLAwó Èkìtìị̀kị̀nnị̀únGNU FDL

kị̀nnị̀ụ́nGNU FDLNorthwest YorubaÈkóÈkókìnìúnGNU FDL

kìnnìúnGNU FDLStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàkìnìúnGNU FDL

dzàntáGNU FDLNote: 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


oyin

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

Oyinadé

A Yoruba name meaning, "The sweetness of royalty"

Oyínkánsọ́lá

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

àwọn oyín ṣí sí ara igi

wọ́n fi ahán lá oyin

ìpàdé e wa bí oyin o


oyin

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


ọpọlọ

/ɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.lɔ́/

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


ọpọlọ

/ɔ̄.k͡pɔ̄.lɔ̄/


agutan

Lucumí: agutá

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

ọ̀dọ́ àgùtàn

abo àgùtàn

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àgùtànview map

àgùntànABHOMINALNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaàbùtọ̀nABHOMINALEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácààgùtànABHOMINALIfɛ̀Akpáréàgùɖã̀ABHOMINALAtakpamɛàgùɖã̀ABHOMINALEst-Monoàgùɖã̀ABHOMINALTchettiàgùɖã̀ABHOMINALNote: 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


gbogbo

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

Gbogbo ilé yín ńkọ́? Ṣé àlàáfíà ni wọ́n wà?

And everyone at home? Are they doing well?

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

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


ọrun

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

affix

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


ọrun

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


ọrun

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọrùnview map

ɛkɛ́WEDNESDAYKuraAwotébiegɔ́rɔ̀WEDNESDAYMɔ̄kɔ́léKandikɔ̃WEDNESDAYNorthern NagoKamboleɔgɔ̃WEDNESDAYManigriɔkɔ̃WEDNESDAYNote: 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


ọrun

b'ó bá di ọrún òní, kí o padà wá

When it is five days from today, come back here

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


ọni

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀nìview map

crocodile, specifically the Nile crocodile.


ọni

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

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

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

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹniview map

ẹnẹVIKIPEDIOÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹọnẹVIKIPEDIOProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìọnịVIKIPEDIOÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́ọnịVIKIPEDIOMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìọnịVIKIPEDIOWestern ÀkókóỌ̀gbàgì ÀkókóọniVIKIPEDIONorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàẹniVIKIPEDIOẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaẹniVIKIPEDIOÈkóÈkóẹniVIKIPEDIOÌbàdànÌbàdànẹniVIKIPEDIOÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràẹniVIKIPEDIOÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboẹniVIKIPEDIOÌlọrinÌlọrinẹniVIKIPEDIOOǹkóÒtùẹniVIKIPEDIOÌwéré IléẹniVIKIPEDIOÒkèhòẹniVIKIPEDIOÌsẹ́yìnẹniVIKIPEDIOṢakíẹniVIKIPEDIOTedéẹniVIKIPEDIOÌgbẹ́tìẹniVIKIPEDIOỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́ẹniVIKIPEDIOStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàẹniVIKIPEDIOBɛ̀nɛ̀ɛniVIKIPEDIONortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaọniVIKIPEDIOEde Languages/Southwest YorubaÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔniVIKIPEDIOIfɛ̀AkpáréɛnɛVIKIPEDIOAtakpamɛɛnɛVIKIPEDIOTchettiɛnɛVIKIPEDIOKuraAledjo-KouraɛniVIKIPEDIOVIKIPEDIOAwotébiɛniVIKIPEDIOVIKIPEDIOPartagoɛniVIKIPEDIOVIKIPEDIONote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


funfun

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


eera

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


ewurẹ

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


tobi

skirt; female undergarment worn under an ìró

cloth band or belt tied around the waist to hold money


ẹyẹ

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ẹyẹview map

ẹlẹ́yẹ

someone who sells birds, someone who owns birds


ẹyẹ

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

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


ejo

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

ejò àgbàfúùfúù

boa constrictor, a species of tree snake


ejo

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

bacon, meat that has been cooked to almost burnt


adun

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


agogo

→ Baatonum: agogo

→ Hausa: àgōgo

→ Edo: ẹgogo

→ Portuguese: agogô

→ English: agogo

→ Japanese: アゴゴ (agogo)

→ Russian: агого (agogo)

→ Spanish: agogó

→ Mandarin: 阿哥哥 (āgēgē)


agogo

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


agogo

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


adura

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

der

Arabic اَلدُّعَاء (ad-duʕāʔ)


suuru

→ Fon: suúlù

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


iroko

→ Hausa: loko

→ Nupe: ròókò

→ Edo: uloko

→ English: iroko

→ Japanese: イロコ

Milicia excelsa
Milicia excelsa#Translingual

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

Ìrókò

The spirit believed to reside in iroko trees

ó ti gbàgbé pé olúwere kìí pa ẹni lóòjọ́


kanga

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - kàngaview map

kànǹgaABANDONEDNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbagbògaABANDONEDEde Languages/Southwest YorubaỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèKétu/ÀnàgóÌmẹ̀kọkàngaABANDONEDKétukàngaABANDONEDIfɛ̀AkpárékàgaABANDONEDAtakpamɛkàgaABANDONEDTchettikàgaABANDONEDNote: 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


agba

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe làgbà

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the most senior institution of the Yoruba


agba

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

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


agba

the plants Alafia multiflora and Landolphia togolana


agba

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


agba

a type of drum played by the Ìlàjẹ and Ìkálẹ̀ people


arere

Triplochiton scleroxylon
Triplochiton scleroxylon#Translingual

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


koroba

From Edo ikoroba, likely ultimately from Portuguese caçamba


obo

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


baibai

Ojú mi ń ṣe bàìbàì.


fitina

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

fìtínà ńlá dé bá wọn lórí ọ̀rọ̀ ilẹ̀

They encountered serious trouble over the land dispute


haramu

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


uji

(Ekiti) The plant Chassalia magnificens, of genus Chassalia


wakati

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


amala

→ English: amala

→ Nigerian Pidgin: amala

→ Portuguese: amalá

amala (thick paste made from yam or cassava flour)


ọ

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


ẹ

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


buba

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

inh

(fashion) blouse or outer garment worn by women

(fashion) top or outer garment worn by men

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


sukua

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

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


roboto

Ewé yẹn rí roboto.


oge

obìnrin yìí fẹ́ràn oge púpọ̀

fashion, style, beautification, ostentation

ṣókí ni ọbẹ̀ oge

The stew of a fashionista is always to the right quality


oge

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

af

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


ileri

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


iju

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

(literally) loss of texture due to a worm attack


ija

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


ijo

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


labari

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


ipari

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

Ìparí sáà yìí ti dé.


apere

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

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


uza

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

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


esuro

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

The red-flanked duiker, Cephalophus rufilatus


ofi

ìyá ta aṣọ sí òfì

The woman set up the threads on a loom for weaving


ofu

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


alapa

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


uku

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


uku

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

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


olori

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

Olorì

title for the most senior wife of a king


airi

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


ebibo

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


eku

Compare with Olukumi eku, Igala ìkélékwu


gangan

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


sunami

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

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

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

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


aniani

/à.nĩ́.ã̀.nĩ́/


ororo

vegetable oil; (in particular) peanut oil


ororo

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


sanma

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


ogio

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


oji

wọ́n ta ọkùnrin náà lójì

They imposed a fine for having adultery on the man

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

ìtalójì

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


udi

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


itan

→ Gun: itàn

→ Fon: itàn, tàn

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


itan

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


onka

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


magun

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

compound

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


awo

Awódìran

Yoruba name, meaning "Ifa worship has become hereditary"

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

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


afara

→ English: afara


oposo

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


iwo

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


aanu

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

af

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àánúview map


eti

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


oriṣa

Portuguese: orixá

Spanish: orisha

French: oricha

Haitian Creole: Olicha

English: orisha

Japanese: オリシャ (orisha)

Russian: ориша (oriša)

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

compound

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


adele

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

af

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


igbo

ó sẹ̀ mí ní ìgbò ní àyà


igbo

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


igbo

Alternative form of agbo (“circle, group”)


igbo

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

àwọn ọdẹ ń dẹ igbó


igbo

wọ́n ń mu igbó

Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa#Translingual

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


otu

(historical) the central or capital city of a kingdom


eni

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

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

elénì

the one that involves a bonus after a purchase


eni

Èní ni ọjọ́-ọjà


agbada

→ Baatonum: agbada

→ English: agbada

→ Portuguese: abadá

→ Fon: agbáɖá

agbada (robe worn by men in West Africa)


ewi

ó ké ewì lágbo

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


odu

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

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


odu

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

ojú odù

the 16 most important signs of Ifa divination

Òdù Ifá

the corpus of the Iṣẹṣe religion of the Yoruba

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

ojú odù

principal signs of the Ifa divination system

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


odu

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

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

(idiomatic) someone who is well known in a society


apari

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


dudu

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

Aṣọ wo lẹ fẹ́ rà? Dúdú ni mo fẹ́.

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

something that is black or dark in colour


uli

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - iléview map

n̄léABDICATORÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàiléABDICATORỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́iléABDICATORỌ̀húnbẹ́iléABDICATORKétu/ÀnàgóÌláráiléABDICATORÌmẹ̀kọiléABDICATORKétuiléABDICATORIfɛ̀AkpáréiléABDICATORAtakpamɛiléABDICATORBokoiléABDICATORMoretaniléABDICATORTchettiiléABDICATORKuraAledjo-KourailéABDICATORABDICATORNorthern NagoKamboleiléABDICATORABDICATORManigriiléABDICATORABDICATORSouthern NagoÌsakétéiléABDICATORABDICATORÌfànyìniléABDICATORABDICATOROverseas YorubaLucumíHavanailéABDICATORNote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


ibaba

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

paternal grandfather
paternal grandfather


emirin

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

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

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

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

a type of biting insect similar to a mosquito; gnat


amure

wọ́n di ara wọn ní àmùrè

They wore a cloth band around their bodies

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


aayo

babá sa aṣọ náà ní ààyò

The father assigned the clothes as his favorite

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

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


aala

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


kukunduku

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


fitila

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


ogogoro

English: ogogoro

/ò.ɡó.ɡó.ɾó/

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

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


idigbo

→ English: idigbo

→ Japanese: イディグボ


kete

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

Kete ulé sị́kọ́n?

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbogboview map


iye

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

mother, a title of respect for an older woman


iye

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


apolo

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


akara

→ English: akara, accra

→ Hausa: akara

→ Igbo: akala, akara

→ Krio: akara

→ Portuguese: acarajé

→ Wolof: akara, aakara

→ Nupe: kàrà

→ Gbagyi: kala

→ Gun: àklà

→ Fon: àklà

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - àkàràview map

àkàràABBOTSHIPÌjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàìkàràABBOTSHIPÒkè IgbóÒkè IgbóàkàràABBOTSHIPNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tààkàràABBOTSHIPẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútaàkàràABBOTSHIPÈkóÈkóàkàràABBOTSHIPÌbàdànÌbàdànàkàràABBOTSHIPÌbàràpáIgbó ÒrààkàràABBOTSHIPÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogboàkàràABBOTSHIPÌlọrinÌlọrinàkàràABBOTSHIPOǹkóÒtùàkàràABBOTSHIPÌwéré IléàkàràABBOTSHIPÒkèhòàkàràABBOTSHIPÌsẹ́yìnàkàràABBOTSHIPṢakíàkàràABBOTSHIPTedéàkàràABBOTSHIPÌgbẹ́tìàkàràABBOTSHIPỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́àkàràABBOTSHIPStandard YorùbáNàìjíríààkàràABBOTSHIPBɛ̀nɛ̀àkàràABBOTSHIPNortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbaàkàràABBOTSHIPEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpáréìkàràABBOTSHIPAtakpamɛìkàràABBOTSHIPTchettiìkàràABBOTSHIPNote: 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


ogo

ó fi ilé e rẹ̀ dógò fún owó ti ó yá

He mortgaged his house for the money that he loaned

(finance) collateral, security, mortgage, debt


akekee

Alternative form of akéekèe (“scorpion”)


ọkọ

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


ọkọ

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


ọkọ

Persicaria senegalensis (syn. Polygonum senegalense)


ọkan

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọkànview map

ẹ̀kẹ̀dọ̀ABERUNCATEEde Languages/Southwest YorubaCábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́ɔkɛ̀nABERUNCATETchaourouɔkɛ̀nABERUNCATEÌcàBantèɔkã̀ABERUNCATEÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàɔkànABERUNCATEỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́emíABERUNCATEOnigboloɔkànABERUNCATEKétu/ÀnàgóKétuɔkànABERUNCATEIfɛ̀Akpáréowũ̀ABERUNCATEAtakpamɛowũ̀ABERUNCATEBokoowũ̀ABERUNCATEMoretanowũ̀ABERUNCATETchettioŋù ɛ̀ɖɔ̃̀ABERUNCATEMɔ̄kɔ́léKandiímũABERUNCATEABERUNCATENote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

Ọkàn rẹ̀ ń lù pupuupu.

Àrùn ọkàn ń dààmú-un wọn.

They were suffering [from] a heart disease.

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

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

Ẹ̀rí ọkàn yóò máà jẹ́ wọn lọ títí láé.

Their conscience will continue to prick them forever.

Ọkùnrin yìí lọ́kàn láti dúró de ẹkùn

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

Ọkàn gbọgbẹ́

Ọkàn mi wà ní ibòmíràn.

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


ọkan

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


ọkan

Cylicodiscus gabunensis, a mimosa-like tree


ọkan

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


uya

(chiefly CY and SEY) punishment, suffering


uya

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


kooko

Alternative form of koríko (“grass, weed”)


tautau

Ó ti gbẹ táútáú.

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


beere

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


yeye

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

yèyé omi

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

yèyé Ọ̀ṣun

A priestess of Osun, a nickname for Osun


yeye

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

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


dundun

→ English: dun dun

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

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


iyan

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

ịyọ́n

Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà

iyán lọba gbogbo oúnjẹ


iyan

ịyọ́n

Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà


iyan

ịyọ́n

Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà


iwe

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

af

wọ́n ń tẹ ìwé

a scientific or academic research document


iwe

Coganates with Ifẹ̀ Yoruba ighe, Èkìtì & Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba uwe


kilomita

Kìlómítà mélòó l'ẹ ti rìn lónìí?

How many kilometers have you walked today?

kilometer, kilometre (unit of measurement, 1000 m)


agidigbo

English: agidigbo

/à.ɡí.dì.ɡ͡bō/

agidigbo, a traditional Yoruba lamellophone


ariya

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


abobo

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


babalawo

→ English: babalawo

→ Portuguese: babalaô

→ Spanish: babalao

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


uroko

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


wowo

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

reduplication

the edible fungi Psathyrella atroumbonata


aaya

the Chlorocebus sabaeus (Olive colobus) or Western red colobus


iere

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