fa

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - fàview map

lẹ̀ghẹ̀FAOlùkùmiUgbódùfàFAProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìfàFAÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́fàFAMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìfàFAIfẹ̀Ilé Ifẹ̀fàFAÌjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàfàFAWestern ÀkókóỌ̀gbàgì ÀkókófàFANorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàfàFAẸ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútafàFAẸ̀gbádòÌjàkáfàFAÈkóÈkófàFAÌbàdànÌbàdànfàFAÌbàràpáIgbó ÒràfàFAÌbọ̀lọ́ÒṣogbofàFAÌgbómìnàÌlá Ọ̀ràngúnfàFAÌfẹ́lódùn LGAfàFAÌrẹ́pọ̀dùn LGAfàFAÌsin LGAfàFAÌlọrinÌlọrinfàFAOǹkóÒtùfàFAÌwéré IléfàFAÒkèhòfàFAÌsẹ́yìnfàFAṢakífàFATedéfàFAÌgbẹ́tìfàFAỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́fàFAStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàfàFABɛ̀nɛ̀fàFANortheast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbafàFAEde Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodefàFACábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́fàFATchaouroufàFAǸcàBaàtɛfàFAÌdàácàBeninIgbó ÌdàácàfàFAỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́fàFAOnigbolofàFAKétu/ÀnàgóKétufàFAIfɛ̀AkpáréfàFAAtakpamɛfàFABokofàFAMoretanfàFATchettifàFAKuraAledjo-KourafàFAFAAwotébifàFAFAPartagofàFAFAMɔ̄kɔ́léKandifàFAFANorthern NagoKambolefàFAFAManigrifàFAFANote: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

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

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

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

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

mo fa aṣọ

eéwó t'ó wú ti fà

ó fa ìlà sórí ìwé

ọ̀lẹ́ fà tìì lẹ́nu iṣẹ́

ọbẹ̀ ewédú náàá fà

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

bí ìgbín fà, ìkarahun á tẹ̀lé e

When the snail crawls its shell shall follow it

ìyà púpọ̀ ni ó fa ẹkún

Too much suffering is the cause of weeping

ọkàn àwọn ọmọ́ fà mí


fa

alápatàá fá awọ náà

mo fá irun abíyá


de

Mo dè é lọ́wọ́ àti lẹ́sẹ̀

Mo de ọrùn aṣọ náà


de

Ó ń de ipò fún mi

(intransitive) to deputize, to hold a position for someone temporarily


de

Mo jókòó dè é


de

A ti dé

(transitive) to attain, to reach a particular point


o

mò í ò ẹ

(Ekiti) Alternative form of wò (“to look at”)


sun

Mo sùn gbalaja

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - sùnview map


sun

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - sunview map

Mo sun ẹran.

A máa ń sun òkú nínú àṣà tèmi.

Àwọn jagunjagun ya wọ̀lú, wọ́n sì dáná sun ojúbọ

The warriors raided the town and set the shrines on fire


sun

sọnPOINTOlùkùmiUgbódùhọ́nPOINTProto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó ÈkìtìsụnPOINTÀkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́sụnPOINTMọ̀bàỌ̀tùn ÈkìtìsụnPOINTNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàsunPOINTÈkóÈkósunPOINTÌbàdànÌbàdànsunPOINTÌlọrinÌlọrinsunPOINTỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́sunPOINTStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàsunPOINTBɛ̀nɛ̀sunPOINTNortheast Yoruba/OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóhuPOINTOwéKabbahunPOINTEde Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀AkpárésɔPOINTAtakpamɛsɔPOINTTchettisɔPOINTNote: 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

Wọ́n ń sun ẹkún níbi ìsìnkú

Ọdẹ ni ó máa ń sun ìjálá, ìyàwó ni ó máa ń sun ẹkún-ìyàwó

Hunters chant ìjálá, and brides chant the ẹkún-ìyàwó


sun

Ìyẹn ni mò ń fojú sùn lọ́dún tó ń bọ̀

That's what I aspire for this coming year


sun

Sún mọ́ mi.

Pẹ̀lúmi fẹ́ sún ìpàdé síwájú

Ó sún mi láti wọ́de

Ẹ̀gún sún mi lọ́wọ́


sun

A ti fẹjọ́ yín sùn wọ́n


mi

From an old Niger-Congo root, see Proto-Niger-Congo *-mi


win

Compare with Olukumi wẹ́n and possibly Igala mẹ́, also used by SEY speakers, it has largely been replaced by sún mọ́ in standard Yoruba

(dated) to be near or close to something


to

(transitive) to order, to put things in order

(intransitive) to become ordered, to become arranged


to

Ẹjọ́ kúwe é tò

What are you gossiping about? (literally, “What matter are you talking incessantly about”)

(Ekiti, Ondo) to talk incessantly; to gossip


to

(intransitive) to be enough, to be worthy, to be sufficient, to amount to

gíga a rẹ̀ẹ́ tó erin

His tallness is comparable to an elephant


to

ọwọ́ mi kò tó o


tutu

From a partial reduplication of tù (“to be cold”). Compare with Olukumi tutùn, Itsekiri tùn. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *-tũ̀, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *-tũ̀.


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

to be light in color, usually in regard to skin tone


tin

Bọ̀bọ́ yẹn tin lẹ́sẹ̀.

Apá mi tin díẹ̀.


gun

to be long (usually along a horizontal axis)


gun

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *gwũ̀ (“to ascend”) or Proto-Yoruboid *gũ̀, cognate with Igala gwú (“to climb, to mate”)

mágùn

a charm used to prevent a man from sleeping with one's wife

(intransitive) to climb, to ascend something

ó gun kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́

(intransitive, transitive) to ride or mount (someone or something)

(idiomatic, intransitive) to copulate, to mate

ó ń hùwà bí ẹni tí Ṣàngó ń gùn

He is behaving like someone that Sango is possessing

(idiomatic) to be possessed; (in particular) to be possessed by the spirit of an orisha


gun

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *gwũ̀ (“to sweat”), cognate with Igala gwù (“to sweat”), see *(ò)úgwũ̀ (“sweat”), úgwù (“sweat”), and òógùn (“sweat, perspiration”)


gun

to be angular in shape, to form an angle


gun

Jùmọ̀kẹ́ ò kí ń gún iyán dáadáa, ẹ̀bà nìkan ló lè tẹ̀.

Jumoke doesn't pound yam well, she can only make eba.


gun

Dókítà gún mi lábẹ́rẹ́.

Igi gogoro máà gún mi lójú; àtòkèèrè la ti ń wò ó

So that we may not be poked in the eye by the tall, pointed tree, one must watch it from afar.

to pierce; to jab; to penetrate; to stab


gun

Àárín tọkọtaya gún régé.

There is peace between the couple. (literally, “Between the couple is in proper alignment.”)

Mo gún èjìká.


ba

kòkó ti bà

to carry out the process of fermentation on seeds or plants


ba

ba òrom̀bó

To plant lemon seeds for future transplanting

(horticulture) to plant seeds in prepared pots for future transplanting into a farm (when it becomes an established seedling)


ba

ba ojú egbò

to press a wound; to apply a warm compress on a wound


ba

ọfà á bà wọ́n

ẹ̀rú bà wá

to be overcome with fear (literally, to be hit with fear)

agbádá yìí bà mí nílẹ̀

(usually used with ilẹ̀) to be too long or oversized (to hit the ground)

Lékeléke bà mí lékè, ẹyẹ àdàbà bà mí lékè

An egret perched on me, a dove perched on me


he

Mo rí ẹ̀bùn he, mo sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í ṣí i.

I came across a gift and started to open it.

Ìṣòro mìíràn tí mo dojúkọ, yàtọ̀ sí ti èdè, ni àníyàn léraléra pé kí àwọn ọlọ́pàá má he mí.

1995?, “‘Níwọ̀n Bí A Ti Ní Iṣẹ́-òjíṣẹ́ Yìí, Àwa Kò Juwọ́sílẹ̀’”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

Another problem I faced, apart from the language, was the constant concern over being picked up by the police.


he

(Ikalẹ) (transitive) Ikalẹ form of sè (“to cook”)


re

Àwòdì t'ó ń re Ìbarà, ẹ̀fúùfùú ta a nídìí pá; ó ní 'iṣẹ́ kúkú yá'

The hawk which is going to Ibara, the wind pushes it suddenly, it responds quickly that that is the next best thing (proverb on expediency)


re

Ọmọ mẹ́tàdínlógún ní mo rè


re

Ìjẹ̀bú "ré" m wa

Ọmọ Ìjẹ̀bú "ré" iye mi


re

(transitive or intransitive or ergative) to roast


re

(transitive) to nurse, to give specific attention to something or someone


re

ara ọmọ náàá ré lọ́wọ́ọ nínà

The child's body became swollen from the beating

(transitive) to soak, to become swollen (usually in reference to the skin)


re

(transitive) to exceed (in degree or dimension), to pass, to go across a mark


re

(transitive) to skim the top of a liquid

Ifá ré ikú lórí awo

Ifa removed(premature) death from the head of the Ifa priest

To alter something, to cause something to be transferred or removed via supernatural or authoritative means


re

(transitive) to put a curse or spell on someone


re

Pàkúté ré

(intransitive) to trigger, to undergo a hit

Ẹ̀yìn aboyún ré

(medicine) to dislocate, to suffer from a dislocated body part


do

Àwọn Àwórì ló kọ́kọ́ dó sí Èkó.

(transitive) to settle; to found a settlement


ke

Mo ké sí ọ


dodo

Ìrì kérékéré níí dodò; ìrì wàràwàrà níí dòjò, kí ọmọdé méje kọ oúnjẹ alẹ́ níí dìjà àgbàlagbà.

2008 December 19, Yiwola Awoyale, quoting I. O. Delano, “dodò”, in Orin Ọdẹ fún Àṣeyẹ, number LDC2008L03, 1966, Ibadan: University Press Limited, page 24, quoted in Global Yoruba Lexical Database v. 1.0, Philadelphia: Linguistic Data Consortium, →DOI, →ISBN:

Just as it is the trickles of dew that become a stream, and it is the falling of heavy dews that form rains, so for seven siblings to refuse their dinner would provoke a fight between adults (proverb on the danger of minor events).

to become or be transformed into a river or stream

d'odò

standard orthography when odò has a qualifier


dodo

From dé (“to arrive at”) + odò (“river”).

Mo dódò mo kàndí/tìró, mi ò rọ́lọ́kọ̀ tí yóò tù mí gàlé, omi ńlá ti gbé ẹja lọ!

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

I got to the river and stood back; I did not find a canoe man to pilot me across; the bigger river has swept off the fish!

adódòmáwẹ̀

the one that arrives at the river but does not clean themselves


pin

Ọ̀nà ti pin


pin

O fẹ́ tọ́ ọ wò àbí? Màá pín in sí méjì.

Do you want to taste it? I'll divide it in two.

Àwọn apẹja pín èyí tí wọ́n pa fún gbogbo abúlé

The fishermen shared their catch with the village


go

ó go adìẹ náà

to cover or put something in a coop; usually referring to birds


go

Ulí yí Olú kọ́ go (Oǹdó)


ye

Ṣó yé yín?

Kò yé mi


ye

Yé ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀!


ye

Ògún yè, mo yè


ye

Adìẹ mi ti yé ẹyin


sin

(transitive) to worship a deity; to revere


sin

(transitive) to domesticate an animal or plant


sin

(transitive) to give a girl away in marriage


sin

(transitive) to accompany or escort someone; to keep company of someone; to guide


sin

(transitive) to serve, to work for someone


sin

(transitive) to demand something from someone to recover it


sin

ọ̀rọ̀ náà sin

(transitive) to lie hidden, to remain secret


sin

(transitive, usually with gbẹ́rẹ́) to incise the body (usually in the process of traditional rituals)


sin

(intransitive) to string or piece things together


sin

(intransitive) to crack a nut (to reach the inner seed or kernel)


run

Ó ti rún wómúwómú

Mo fẹ́ rún obì

Ṣé ẹ̀wù mi ti rún?


run

Inú ń rún un.


bi

Cognate with Igala bí (“to give birth to”)

Ọmọ mẹ́rin l'ó bí.


bi

Inú ń bí mi


bi

Likely cognate with Igala bi (“to beg for; to pray for”)

Mo bi í nípa àwọn ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀.


bi

(transitive) to cause one to gain an evil reward for a prior evil committed


bi

Ó ti bi oúnjẹ rẹ̀.

Alternative form of bì (“to vomit”) used before object nouns


du

wọ́n du oúnjẹ


du

(intransitive, of a person or animal) to bleed


du

ó dú láwọ̀

Adú

A Yoruba nickname for someone who is dark in complextion


san

Ó ti san owó orí ìyàwó.


san

Ó sàn kí a sinmi.

Ọgbẹ́ ti sàn.


san

Àrá ń sán.


san

Compare Nupe sán (“to split; to ache (head)”).

Òkúta ti sán.

Orí ń sán mi.


rin

Proposed to be from Proto-Yoruboid *rɪ̃̀

Ọmọlúwàbí ní ń bá ọmọlúwàbí rìn

Ọ̀kadà jẹ́ ọkọ̀ kan tó ń fẹsẹ̀ méjì rìn

An okada is a vehicle that goes on two wheels


rin

Amọ̀ yìí ò rin rárá

(ergative) to be moist; to moisten; to dampen


rin

Ó rìn mí lábíyá

Ẹrù ń rìn ín mọ́lẹ̀


han

Compare with Ifè ŋà, Olukumi ghàn, Itsekiri ghàn and possibly Igala ñà, from Proto-Yoruba *ɣɪ̃ã̀, *ŋɪ̃ã̀ , from Proto-Edekiri *ɣɪ̃ã̀, *ŋɪ̃ã̀, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ŋɪ̃ã̀.


han

Compare with Ifè ŋɔ́, Olukumi ghọn, Igala ñwọ̀, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɣɔ̃̀, *ŋɔ̃̀, from Proto-Edekiri *ɣɔ̃̀, *ŋɔ̃̀, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ŋʷɔ̃̀, Proto-Yoruboid *wɔ̃̀. See Proto-Bantu *gon, Igbo gwọ, Urhobo ahọnre


han

(Igbomina) Alternative form of wọ́n (“to catch something in the air”)


hun

Kítà é hùn.


hun

Mo fẹ́ hun aṣọ òfì wọn, fún ayẹyẹ wọn, lọ́sẹ̀ tó ń bọ̀.

I want to weave their clothes, for their celebration, this upcoming week


ha

ìṣó ha mi lọ́wọ́

(transitive) to graze, to scrape (something), to erode, to abrade


ha

òṣùpá ha

(intransitive, copulative) to shine brightly


ha

(transitive) to jam or wedge something into some space

ẹrán há mi léyín

(intransitive) to become jammed, gagged, or barricaded


ha

wọ́n há ẹran kálé

They distributed the meat among the members of the household

(transitive) to allocate, to distribute, to share, to divide things (among a group)


ni

(transitive) to be (to have a quality or identification)


ta

From Proto-Yoruba *tà, from Proto-Edekiri *tà, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *tà. Compare with Igala tà, Itsekiri tà

kí l'a à bá tà k'á fi ra ọmọ?

what could we possibly have sold to purchase a child? (proverb on the pricelessness of a child)

(transitive, intransitive) to sell something


ta

uṣu ta, kí uṣu ò ta, ọkọọkan ló gbéṣu àbá mi láti oko rẹ l'Éjìgbò ― If the yam grows big or not, they must carry the yams of my father one by one from his farm in Ejigbo (family oríkì)


ta

gúgúrú ta

ìgbìmọ̀ alátakòó ta lórí ọ̀rọ̀ náà

The opposition opposed the measure very loudly


ta

oòrún ta sí wá lára

(intransitive, copulative) to shine (as in the sun or daylight)


ta

ọlọ́pàá ta ìbọn

(transitive) to shoot, fire (from a weapon that releases a projectile).

oyín ta wọ́n

(transitive, of an insect or arachnid) to sting

atá ta

ẹṣín ta, ta, ta, ó kú o!

The horse kicked, kicked, and kicked, and then it died

ó ń fi wá tayín

He was using us to floss his teeth - Literally, "He was deliberately ignoring us at work"

(transitive) to pick, pluck, floss (as in your teeth)


ta

eyín ta síta


ta

ó ta òkòtó


ta

àṣá idìí ta òròmọdìẹ nílẹ̀


ta

àwọn ọmọkùnrin àti ọmọbìnrin ń tage

The young boys and girls were flirting with each other

to flirt, to talk with teasing affection


mu

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - muview map

Má mu ọtí tó o bá fẹ́ wakọ̀.

Don't drink alcohol if you want to drive.

Ọmọ-ọwọ́ ṣì ń mu ọmú.

Ọmọdé ń mu ọsàn.

to lick (juicy fruits such as oranges, or deserts such as ice cream)

Kò kí ń mu sìgá.


mu

Àwọn ọlọ́pàá ti mú wa o.

Mo mú bọ́ọ̀lù.

Òtútù ń mú mi.

I feel cold. (Cold is having an effect on me)

to have an effect on (relating to temperature)

Oògùn yẹn mú mi sùn.

Ó mú mi mumi.

(auxiliary verb) to cause something to do something else (must be used with another verb)

Ọbẹ̀ náà mú.


mu

Ó mù sábẹ́ igbó.


yu

Me è yú ― I will not go (Èkìtì)

Ùwọ ó yú ín. ― It was you who went. (Ìkálẹ̀)

(Ekiti, Idanre, Ondo, Ọwọ, Ikalẹ, Usẹn) to go


Ó nà án ní pàṣán


Àníkẹ́ ń ná owó nínàákúkàá

Ó ná mi ní ogún náírà péré

Ó lè máa ná wọn tó ẹgbẹ̀rún dọ́là

It may cost them up to a thousand dollars

Ìyá mi ń bá oníkiri ná

Mo ná ọjà Mọ́kọ́lá

to haggle; to bargain
to trade; to go to the market


Mo na ọwọ́ mi dì í mú

Àwòdì na ìyẹ́ rẹ̀, kí ó sì fò lọ

Ọlọ́pàá na ìbọn sí wọn lójú


ti

Ojú máa ń tì mí nígbà tí mo bá ń sọ̀rọ̀ nípa ara mi.

I feel shy whenever I talk about myself.


ga

Bá mi ga agbòjò yìí

to set up a collapsible device; to open out; to spread out

Ilẹ̀ á gà jù ọ́ lọ

The ground shall open and swallow you up


ga

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gaview map

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

(idiomatic) to be beyond that which can be tolerated or described


ga

ọ̀rọ̀ náàá gá mi


ge

(transitive) to cut something; especially using a tool

mo gé e wẹ́lẹ́-wẹ́lẹ́

(stative, intransitive) to become cut, snapped, or broken


se

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *sì, compare with Igala hì, Igbo si

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - sèview map

Ó se ọbẹ̀ ilá.

Mi ò mọ ẹyin ín sè.


se

Wọ́n sé fèrèsé náà.

Òkúta tí ó jù sé ihò.


la

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *lá. Possibly cognate with Proto-Bantu *-dáada


la

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *lá


la

to be wealthy; to become wealthy, to become rich


la

òòrùn-ún là

to shine like the moon/sun/light, to glow, to radiate


la

to cut, to divide, to separate, to slice

Ẹ̀là

A spirit and energy force in the Yoruba religion and divination


ho

(intransitive, of liquids) to become gaseous, to become boiled

òkún ń hó yee; ọ̀sà ń mì lẹ̀gbẹ̀

The sea was roaring; the lagoon was swaying majestically


ho

(transitive) to peel off the skin or bark of something


po

Má pò ó pọ̀ síbẹ̀.

Bá mi po ẹyin.

A gbọ́dọ̀ lo omi gbígbóná nígbà tí a bá fẹ́ po tíì.

We must use hot water when we want to make tea.

(transitive) to make warm drinks, baby food, or medicine.


po

awó dára lẹ́yẹ, ṣùgbọ́n orí pó o

The guinea fowl is a beautiful bird, but it has a very small head


ra

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *là, cognate with Igala là, Olukumi la


pa

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *kpa, possibly a Doublet of kú

Ó pa ìyàwó ẹ̀.

(transitive) to kill
(transitive) to murder

(transitive) to kill
(transitive) to execute

Má gbàgbé láti máa pa tẹlifíṣọ̀n.

Don't forget to turn off the television.

(transitive) to kill
(transitive) to switch off, to turn off

A dúpẹ́ pé wọ́n pa iná kó tó jó odindi ilé tán pátá.

Thankfully the fire was extinguished before it burnt the whole house down.

(transitive) to kill
(transitive) to extinguish

Wọ́n pa ìlù.

(transitive) to kill
(transitive) to stop, to terminate

Ẹ fẹ́ pa mí ni!?

Ebi ń pa mí.

(transitive) to pain, to kill
(transitive) to disturb

Ọtí ń pa wọ́n.

(transitive) to pain, to kill
(transitive) to intoxicate

Yéè! Ẹsẹ̀ yìí fẹ́ pa mí o!

Ẹ bá mi pa obì yìí.

Ó pa ọkà.

(transitive) to open, to smash open, to thresh

Adìyẹ mi ti pa ọmọ


pa

Irọ́ l'o ń pa o!


pa

Mo máa ń fi òrí pa ọwọ́ mi

I use shea butter to moisturize my hands

Òjò ń pa mí.

Òjò ń pa òrùlé.

Oòrùn ń pa mí.

(transitive) to scorch, to drench, to beat usually in relation to weather


pa

Wọn kì í pa owó látinú iṣẹ́ yìí.

They don't make money from doing such work.

Ọbẹ̀ tó dùn, owó ló pa á

A delicious stew; money is what earnt it


pa

Òkun pa rọ́rọ́.

to be in a state, defined by a following adverb


pa

Mo dè é pa


pa

Ó pá lórí.

(He is bald)


pu

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *kpa, possibly a Doublet of kú. Compare with Yoruba pa, Àhàn pu.

Ó pu ìyàwó ẹ̀.

(Ijebu, transitive) to kill
(Ijebu, transitive) to murder

(Ijebu, transitive) to kill
(Ijebu, transitive) to execute

Pu iná yẹn

(Ijebu, transitive) to switch off, to turn off


pe

(transitive, intransitive) to call, to pronounce, to summon, to invoke (an orisha)

(transitive) to tag someone or something


pe

(transitive, intransitive) to assemble, to congregate


pe

to be correct, to be complete in degree or quantity

(idiomatic) to be sane, to be intelligent, to be sharp (of the mind); (literally - "to have a complete or correct mind")


pe

ọjà náà pé mi dáadáa

The market goods were very profitable for me

to become rewarding or profitable for someone


da

ọkọ̀ ojú-omi dà

(intransitive, nanutical) to overturn, to capsize

to draw out some quantity of something all round or to put round an entity


da

Fúlàní da mààlúù

(transitive) to direct, guide, or lead a flock


da

oúnjẹ ti dà nínú mi


da

ẹbọ dà

The sacrifice is acceptable to the orisha

(intransitive) to be acceptable (especially pertaining to a religious sacrifice), to be acceptable to the orisha


da

bí oore bá pọ̀ lápọ̀jù, ibi níí dà

If too much kindness is shown, it can turn into evil

Mo da ọmọ ọdún mẹ́tàlélógún níjẹta

to change and become something else, to turn into


da

Má bá wọn ṣọ̀rẹ́ o, wọ́n dà mí


da

ọmọdé gbọ́n, àgbà gbọ́n, l'a fi dá Ilé-Ifẹ̀

The child is wise, the elder is wise, is the idea that was the basis for the establishing of Ile-Ife

Èmi ni mo dá ọ̀rọ̀ yìí sílẹ̀

I was the one who initiated this conversation

(transitive) to create, to make, to initiate, to establish


da

Òjò ò tíì dá síbẹ̀


da

Ara mi dá ṣáṣá

I'm healthy (literally, “My body is healthy”)

(intransitive, with ara) to become healthy, to be devoid of illness (in reference to the body)


da

Tí àwọn ọmọdé bá ṣerépá, ìyá wọn á máa dá sí i

If the kids start engaging in horseplay, their mum will intervene

Wọn ò tiẹ̀ fẹ́ dá sí mi

Ẹ máa dá ọgbọ́n yín sí i

(with sí) to intervine; to contribute (to a conversation)

Wọ́n dá mi lọ́lá gidi gan-an


da

wọ́n dá Ifá

(transitive) to engage in divination, to divine


da

o ti tó dá ṣiṣẹ́


da

(transitive) to overcome, to overpower, to throw down

igi dá


da

sòbìà dá mi

(idiomatic) to contract an illness, to be infected with a disease (literally, to be "hit" with a disease)


da

ẹnu rẹ̀ dá

(intransitive) to become sharp, vocal, or fully awake

Ó dá mi lójú


da

mo dá igi

(transitive, intransitive) to snap, to break, to cut (into two)


fo

(intransitive) to jump, or leap in an upwards direction

ọkàn mí fò ó

(idiomatic) to miss, to escape one's attention, to forget


fo

wọ́n fi idà fo orí olè

They used a sword to decapitate the head of the thief


fo

aṣọ yìí fò mí

(intransitive) to become shortened in dimension; to contract; to no longer be able to fit


ja

(intransitive, reciprocal) to fight, to wrestle, to struggle

ogún jà

(intransitive) to occur, to take place, to break out (as in a war or disease)


ja

(intransitive, transitive) to snap, to break off, to break loose


ja

gudugbẹ̀ẹ́ já

(intransitive) to occur, to take place, to begin suddenly (to break out)


ja

etí rẹ̀ ń já


ja

(heading, intransitive) to fall off (from some height)


ja

òṣùpá já tòò bí ọ̀sán

The moon shined brightly like the afternoon (sun)


ja

to become aware, to come to full realization


ja

àpò rẹ̀ẹ́ já


ja

iyọ̀ ọ́ já ọbẹ̀ yìí

(intransitive) to become saturated or oversaturated with something; to become too much of something


ja

Likely cognate with Igala já (“to harvest”)

(transitive) to pluck off (usually referring to fruit or leaves)


dan

àwọn ológùn-ún dan araa wọn

The men with ritual powers neutralized each other's spells

(transitive) to counteract or neutralize someone's charm or spell


dan

àwọ̀ ọ́ dán

(intransitive, copulative, stative, descriptive) to shine, to be smooth

(transitive) to polish or shine something

ó dán orí rẹ̀

(transitive) to scrape or smoothen something; to shave


di

(transitive) to change to something else

(transitive) Alternative form of da (to become)


di

(transitive) to bind, to fasten, to tie up


di

(transitive) to defeat, to conquer, to vanquish


di

(intransitive) to coagulate, to solidify


kura

to feel numb, to suffer from numbness, to be impotent


lo

(transitive) to use; to engage; to exploit


lo

èlùbọ́ ti lò

The yam tuber used to prepare èlùbọ́ has become parboiled

to become parboiled (specifically relating to yam tubers in the process of making yam flour, èlùbọ́)


lo

to lose interest in something; to become disheartened


bun

ó bùn mi ní owó

(transitive) to dash, to donate, to give away

(transitive) to gift, bless, or endow someone

(intransitive) to be gifted, endowed, or blessed with something


din

Cognate with Yoruba dẹ́n, Èkìtì Yoruba dị́n, Itsekiri dẹ́n, Ifè ɖɛ̃́, Igala dẹ́, and Olukumi dín. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *dɪ̃́

a dín ata

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - dínview map


din

(intransitive) to become reduced in number


ko

Ẹ bá mi kó ẹrù yìí sẹ́yìn ọkọ̀

Wọ́n kó wọn lẹ́rú


le

Ó lè gbọ́ Yorùbá.

(auxiliary, defective) to be able, can, to be possible


le

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - leview map

le騧Ìjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀bú Òdeni騧Rẹ́mọẸ̀pẹ́ni騧Ìkòròdúni騧Ṣágámùni騧Ìkálẹ̀Òkìtìpupani騧

le騧OǹdóOǹdóni騧UsẹnUsẹnle騧ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹni騧OlùkùmiUgbódùni騧Proto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìle騧Òdè Èkìtìle騧Ìfàkì Èkìtìle騧Àkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́le騧Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàle騧ÈkóÈkóle騧ÌbàdànÌbàdànle騧ÌbàràpáIgbó Òràle騧Ìbọ̀lọ́Òṣogbole騧ÌlọrinÌlọrinle騧OǹkóÒtùle騧Ìwéré Iléle騧Òkèhòle騧Ìsẹ́yìnle騧Ṣakíle騧Tedéle騧Ìgbẹ́tìle騧Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́le騧Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàle騧Bɛ̀nɛ̀le騧Northeast Yoruba/OkunOwéKabbale騧Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréle騧Atakpamɛle騧Est-Monole騧Tchettile騧Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties

kára ó le

A Yoruba greeting meaning, may you always be in good health!

Iṣẹ́ náà le bí ojú ẹja.

ṣe ará le o?

(idiomatic) to be healthy, to be in good health


le

Ọtí yìí le.


le

Alébíoṣù

A Yoruba nickname meaning, "One that appears very distinctly like the moon."


le

Wọ́n lé e nílèékulèé, òun náà sàsàákúsàá.

They pursued him relentlessly, and he also ran relentlessly.


yo

to become saturated with food or drinks; to become full (after eating)

to become fleshy or robust (in reference to the belly or body)

(idiomatic, euphemistic) to become pregnant


kuna

(transitive, intransitive) to miss (the way or mark), to go in the wrong direction

(intransitive) to fail (in one's attempt)


oo

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

erù í mọ̀ óo


jo

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *jó, compare with Igala jó


jo

Possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *jó, cognate with Igala jó


dun

Cognates include Itsekiri yọ̀n, Olukumi yọ̀n, Ifè ɖɔ̃̀. Likely from the same root as yọ̀n and the /y/ alternatives.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - dùnview map

dụ̀n孝Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàdùn孝ÈkóÈkódùn孝ÌbàdànÌbàdàndùn孝ÌlọrinÌlọrindùn孝OǹkóÒtùdọ̀n孝Ìwéré Ilédọ̀n孝Òkèhòdùn孝Ìsẹ́yìndọ̀n孝Ṣakídọ̀n孝Tedédùn孝Ìgbẹ́tìdùn孝Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́dùn孝Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàdùn孝Bɛ̀nɛ̀dùn孝Northeast Yoruba/OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dódùn孝OwéKabbadùn孝Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréɖɔ̃̀孝Atakpamɛɖɔ̃̀孝Tchettiɖɔ̃̀孝Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


dun

egbò ń dùn mí

ó dùn mí pé ó kú


dun

ẹyẹ yìí dún


wi

Òòrẹ̀ ní ń ṣẹ́gi tí a ó fi wì í

The porcupine gathers the wood with which we will singe it


ku

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *kú or Proto-Yoruboid *kpú. Cognates are extensive throughout many different branches of Niger-Congo. Cognate with Igala kwú, Tiv *kpe, Ibibio *kpa, Proto-Jukunoid *kwu-, Ewe *kuku and Awing *kfu (from Proto-Grassfields *kÚ(a)).

Ọ̀pọ̀ ló kú nínú ìjàǹbá yẹn

Fóònù mi ti fẹ́ kú nísìnyí, màá pè yín padà o

My phone's about to die now, I'll call you back


ku

Ó ku oṣù mẹ́ta kí n padà lọ

There're three months left until I go back


ki

(transitive) to deliver a eulogy for someone

(transitive) to sing the praises of someone


ki

(transitive) to compress (powdered material) into a container


fi

(auxiliary verb) to use something to do something else (must be used with another verb)


gin

ìyá gin uṣu lé ọmọ lọ́wọ́

The mother chipped off a small part of a yam to give to the child

(Igbomina) to chip off a small part of something

babá gin irun ọmọ náà

The father trimmed the edges of the child's hair

(Igbomina) to trim the edges of something with a razor


ya

Wọ́n yá owó lọ́wọ́ mi.

Wọ́n yá mi lówó.


ya

Aago yẹn fi wákàtí kan yá.

Ó ti yá!

Nígbà tó yá, ó jáde.

Ara mi ò yá.

I'm not feeling well. (literally, “My body is not healthy.”)

to be fit
(with ara (“body”)) to be healthy


ya

Tó o bá jíwèé wò, màá ya pépà ẹ.

Má fa aṣọ rẹ ya.

Ó fa ọkàn mi ya.

Ìjì máa ya á lulẹ̀.


ya

Odò ti ya wọ oko.

Odò yẹn ya wọ odò Ọya.

Ẹrẹ̀ ti ya wọ̀lú.


ya

Lọ tààrà, kó o sì yà sósì.


ya

Yà mí ní fọ́tò níbí báyìí.

Ó ń ya àwòrán.


ya

Ibí ni ọ̀nà ti yà.

Ó yà wá lẹ́nu gan-an.

Ẹnu ya mí.

(with ẹnu (“mouth”)) to surprise; to shock


ya

ya wèrè

ya pòkíì

ya ọ̀lẹ

yabo

ya ahun


ya

Mo ya ilé ọ̀rẹ́ ìyá mi lánàá

I visited my mother's friend's house yesterday.


ri

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

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ríview 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


ri

Alternative form of rì (“to sink”) used before object nouns


wo

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - wòview map

Ẹ jẹ́ ká wò ó


ro

Related to etymology 2, compare with Igbo lò (“to reflect”)

Mo rò pé kò dáa kéèyàn máa jíwèé wò.

I think it's not good for people to be cheating.


ro

Oko tí àgbẹ̀ ro lánàá nìyí.

This is the field that the farmers tilled yesterday.


ro

Báwo la ṣe máa ró ìró.

(transitive) to wrap, to tie a wrapper, skirt, or towel.


ro

Ẹ̀yìn ń ro mí.

(My back hurts)


ro

Mo ró n’Íbàdọ̀n


bora

(transitive) to bleach one's skin; to lighten one's skin


ka

Igala language
Igbo language
Nupe language

Likely cognate with Igala kà (“to tell”) and Igbo kà (“to speak”), perhaps related to Nupe gàn

(transitive) to confess (literally, "to recount previous misdeeds involuntarily or under duress")


ka

ká ìbó

for a child dying literally "to pluck the fruit of the ibo tree"

(transitive) to pluck fruit (from a tree)

to break something; to knock off something

(idiomatic) to become snapped under pressure


ka

Fọlá, wá bá mi ká aṣọ!

(intransitive) to become curled or folded

to constrain someone (often via supernatural means)

apá àtẹ́lẹwọ́ kì í ká ilé

The arm of the palm cannot control the house (Yoruba incantation)

(idiomatic) to get something under control


ka

Yímiká

a shortened name form meaning "surrounds me"


fu

ará fu mí pe àṣírí ti tú

to suspect, to have a second thought on a person, to be vigilant


duro

Ìyá mi ń dúró dè wọ́n.

Lásìkò kòrónà yìí a gbọ́dọ̀ dúró sílé.

In these corona times we must stay at home.

Ó dúró bí igi.

Òdòdó róòsù dúró fún ìfẹ́.


digo

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

compound

(literally, transitive) to seal or cork a bottle

(idiomatic) to cover one's nakedness a cloth


gan

ọ̀tá mí gàn mí

(transitive) to disparage, criticize, belittle


gan

kankéré ti gan

(intransitive) to become stiff, to harden


gan

àgbẹ́ gán' igbó

(transitive) to stub, to clear (plants or a forest)


gan

mo ń gán owó lò


gan

mo ń gán owó lò

to hit something with a thrown or spun object


gan

mo gán etí aṣọ pọ̀


gan

mo fọwọ́ gán bọ́ọ̀lù náà pákó

I used my hand to snatch the ball swiftly from the air

to snatch something in the air, especially with one hand


pako

(horticulture) to weed; to kill or clear plants, grass


taka

From ta (“to tap, to flick”) + ìka (“finger”).


raun

ọmọ abẹ́nị mọ́ta mọ́ ráùn ọ̀nị̀yọ̀n kọ́ nù, ké ráùn ịdà rẹ̀ góró
The one who beheads someone on the rock, and not complain about the person they lost, but complain about the state of their sword (oríkì of the Déjì of Àkúrẹ́)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ráhùn (“to complain; to verbally complaint”)


kare

From kú + àre (“vindication”), literally “greetings on being provided vindicated or justice in one's work or actions”.

compound

to deserve or earn appreciation for satisfactory performance


parada

pa ara dà (“to change one's appearance”)


tumba

Ebi ló mú ọ̀tá túḿbá.

It was hunger that made the enemy surrender.

(intransitive) to apologize, to show remorse, to repent


dara

Kò dára kí a máa gbàgbé àṣà wa.

It's not good for us to forget our culture.


dara

From dá (“to create”) + àrà (“marvel; wonder”)

com

Tẹ́lẹ̀, mo máa ń dárà sí ilé.


pari

Ó párí bí ọkọ alámàlà.

He's bald like an àmàlà seller's husband.


wa

From Proto-Edekiri *wá compare with the Proto-Gbe *bá, Proto-Gbe *vá, Proto-Gbe *wá, or Proto-Gbe *ɓá. Cognates include Fon wá, Gun wá, Adja vá, Saxwe Gbe va, Ewe va from the Gbe languages, in addition to Akan bra, Akan ba, Nkonya ba

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - wáview map

ghá沎UsẹnUsẹnwá沎ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹwá沎OlùkùmiUgbódùwá沎Proto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìá沎Òdè Èkìtìá沎Awó Èkìtìá沎Ìfàkì Èkìtìá沎Àkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́á沎Mọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìghá沎

ghá沎Ìjẹ̀ṣàIléṣàá沎Northwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàwá沎Ẹ̀gbáAbẹ́òkútawá沎Ẹ̀gbádòÌjàkáwá沎ÈkóÈkówá沎ÌbàdànÌbàdànwá沎ÌbàràpáIgbó Òràwá沎Ìbọ̀lọ́Òṣogbowá沎ÌgbómìnàÌlá Ọ̀ràngúnwá沎ÌlọrinÌlọrinwá沎OǹkóÒtùwá沎Ìwéré Iléwá沎Òkèhòwá沎Ìsẹ́yìnwá沎Ṣakíwá沎Tedéwá沎Ìgbẹ́tìwá沎Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́wá沎Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàwá沎Bɛ̀nɛ̀wá沎Northeast Yoruba/OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dóghá沎OwéKabbaghá沎Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodewá沎Cábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́wá沎Tchaourouwá沎ǸcàBaàtɛwá沎ÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàwá沎Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́wá沎Onigbolowá沎Kétu/ÀnàgóKétuwá沎Ifɛ̀Akpáréwá沎Atakpamɛwá沎Bokowá沎Moretanwá沎Tchettiwá沎KuraAledjo-Kourawá沎沎Awotébiwá沎沎Partagowá沎沎Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandinàá沎沎Northern NagoKambolewá沎沎Manigriwá沎沎Overseas YorubaLucumíHavanagua沎Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


pana

From pa (“to extinguish, turn off”) + iná (“fire, light”).


fura

fu (“to suspect”) + ara (“body, person”)

mo fura


bura

From bú (“to insult, to hurl invectives”) + ara (“body”), literally “to hurl invectives at one's self”.

(transitive) to swear, to take an oath, to forswear


pai

Uun jíjẹ tì paí.

(Ondo) Alternative form of parí (“to finish; to end”)


sare

From sá (“to run, flee”) + eré (“race”).

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - sáréview map

súré㐦Northeast Yoruba/OkunÌbùnúBùnúhíré㐦ÌjùmúÌjùmúháré㐦ÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dósáré㐦OwéKabbafúré㐦Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀Lọ́kọ́jasáré㐦Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Tchettikóré㐦

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


beru

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

(Ekiti, transitive) to fear, to be afraid


kuro

Kúrò níwájú mi!

Màá mú un kúrò níbẹ̀.


buaya

owóo rẹ̀ẹ́ bùáyà

to be large, to be expensive, (in degree or quantity)


pada

From pa (“to do; action verb”) + dà (“to change and become something else; to turn into”)


muti

Ẹni tí ó mutí ogójì yóò sọ̀rọ̀ okòó

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


dani

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

ó dá ìbọn ní

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

dá ní

ó dání ìbọn

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


dani

ọ̀rẹ́ tòótọ́ kìí dani


pitan

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


raye

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


raye

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

to cause someone to lose their memory or consciousness


nian

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

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

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


yun

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

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


wu

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

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

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


wu

igi máa ń wù, tó bá ti tutù

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


wu

ojú egbò ó wú

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


wu

ojú egbò ó wú


waye

to come into existence; to come about; to occur


joko

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


joko

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


sunta

Contraction of sun ìta (“to sleep outside”)


tuuba

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


sapa

Òbí rẹ̀ ti sapá gidigidi láti pèsè oúnjẹ fún un.

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

to endeavour; to make an effort; to strive


dede

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


ṣe

Mi ò fẹ́ ṣe nǹkan kan

Wọ́n máa ń fi igi ṣe ilẹ̀kùn


ṣe

Àìsàn ń ṣe mí

Kí l'ó ń ṣe ọ́?


koo

kóò lị́bẹ̀!


roju

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


roju

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

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

(idiomatic) to have time or convenience for something

ilé kò rójú fún wọn

(idiomatic) to be peaceful, to be at ease


gari

→ Krio: gari


yere

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

Mo ti yèrè sí báyìí!

(chiefly CY and SEY, transitive) to remind


titun

Alternative form of tuntun (“to be new”)


funfun

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

Ara rẹ̀ ti funfun.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - funfunview map

fífún嫼ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹfẹ́n嫼Proto-YorubaNorthwest YorubaÀwórìÈbúté Mẹ́tàfunfun嫼ÈkóÈkófunfun嫼ÌbàdànÌbàdànfunfun嫼ÌlọrinÌlọrinfunfun嫼Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́funfun嫼Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàfunfun嫼Bɛ̀nɛ̀funfun嫼Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaIfɛ̀Akpáréfṹ嫼Atakpamɛfṹ嫼Tchettifṹ嫼Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


dawati

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


momi

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


fitina

ó fìtínà ẹ̀míi wa


bọ

àkókó ń bọ̀ tí a kò níí jẹun mọ́

The time is coming when we shall no longer eat

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


bọ

ó bọ ẹran


bọ

ó bọ ṣòkòtò rẹ̀


bọ

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


bọ

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

ẹ̀míi rẹ̀ẹ́ bọ́

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


bọ

Wọ́n ti bọlé yẹn tán


họ

wọ́n ń họ ọmọ kòkó

They were scooping out the seeds of the cocoa pod

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


họ

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


gọn

Cognates with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba go, Yoruba ga


dide

Dìde, ká lè rí ojú ẹ


roro

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

(Ekiti, Owe, Eastern Akoko) to be bitter


kankere

Mo ti kankéré ikùn mi láàárọ̀ yìí

I have filled my stomach with heavy concrete this morning

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


luko

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

oluko

primitive person; unsophisticated person


jiyan

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


jiyan

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


pade

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


dudu

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

Ẹyẹ yẹn dúdú

Ó ti dúdú sí i nítorí oòrùn tó pa á

to be black, dark, deep green or deep blue


gafara

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

Mo tọrọ gáfárà


halaka

(transitive) to destroy, to wreck, to ruin


tuka

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

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


japa

→ English: japa

→ Nigerian Pidgin: japa

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

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

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

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

Wọ́n fẹ́ jápa.

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

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


daju

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


daju

ó dájú pé yóò jọba


beere

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

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


wowo

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


waja

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

ọbá wàjà

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


waja

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


ghan

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


kede

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


paroko

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

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


bọn

Sálúbàtà bàbá mi ti bọn jù, kò ṣeé wọ̀.

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


dagba

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


lẹ

ohun-ọ̀sìn náà lẹ̀

(transitive or intransitive, biology) to reproduce


lẹ

ó lẹ́ obì

(transitive) to transplant a plant or seedling


lọ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - lọview map

Ùdànè, Ùdànrè

yú制ÌdànrèÌdànrèyú制Ìjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀bú Òdeyún制

rè制OwéKabbayún制Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀Lọ́kọ́jayú制Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaAnaSokodelɔ制Cábɛ̀ɛ́Cábɛ̀ɛ́lɔ制Tchaouroulɔ制ǸcàBaàtɛlɔ制ÌdàácàBeninIgbó Ìdàácàlɔ制TogoDatchalɔ制Ọ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́lɔ制Onigbololɔ制Kétu/ÀnàgóKétulɔ制Ifɛ̀Akpárélɔ制Atakpamɛlɔ制Bokolɔ制Est-Monolɔ制Moretanlɔ制Tchettilɔ制KuraAledjo-Kouralɔ制制Awotébilɔ制制Partagolɔ制制Mɔ̄kɔ́léKandinɛ̃̀制Northern NagoKambolelɔ制制Manigrilɔ制制Southern NagoÌsakétélɔ制制Ìfànyìnlɔ制制Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


lọ

Irú ṣòkòtò yìí ṣòroó lọ̀.


lọ

Inú ń lọ́ mi

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

Fi mí sílẹ̀! Má lọ́ mi léèékánná


lọ

Ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ lódò ní àwọn lè lọ́ ìlẹ̀kẹ̀

Frogs in the stream say they can string beads


mugbo

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


rọ

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

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

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


rọ

Òjò máa rọ̀.

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


rọ

Ọjọ́ ti rọ̀.

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

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

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

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

Ojú ajá ti rọ̀

Ó rọ̀ mí lọ́rùn

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

Rírọ̀ ní ń rọ àdàbà lọ́rùn


rọ

Alágbẹ̀dẹ ló bá mi rọ àdá yẹn

It was a blacksmith that forged that cutlass for me


ịn

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

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

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

(Ekiti) to be near or close to something


tawe

Ó máa ń tàwé níbí.

tà'wé

standard orthography when ìwé has a qualifier


muwe

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

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

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

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

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


bẹ

bẹ ìbẹ́pẹ


bẹ

ogun-ún bẹ́ sílẹ̀

(intransitive) to snap, to burst, to break


bẹ

Ó ń bẹ nísàlẹ̀

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

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


bẹ

ìbẹ́ àbẹ́jù l'ó mú kí ẹpọ̀n eégún yọ síta

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

(intransitive) to hop, to jump (downwards)


bẹ

Mo bẹ́ aásáà


bẹ

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


jiya

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


gbagbe

From gbà + gbé, with some etymological evidence that it may be a splitting verb, perhaps from gbà (“to be taken, to receive”) + gbé (“to be lost; to be gone”), literally “That which is received and then lost”. Compare with Ayere gbé, Igala gbényọ́ọ̀


dabira

wọ́n dábírà lójú agbo

They performed several feats on the floor

Ifádábírà

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ifa performed a great feat"


dibo

From di (“to become”) + ìbò (“a system of divination by which a babaláwo, using bones or cowrie shells, to get yes-or-no responses for their client or an election”). Cognates include Ifè ɖi ìbò, Ifè ɖìbò

(Yoruba religion) to do divination with yes-or-no responses with questions posed by a client

Èmi yóò dìbò fún àwọn òṣèlú ní ìdìbò tó ń bọ̀

I will vote for the politicians in the upcoming election


kakiri

From ká (“to surround; everywhere”) + kiri (“to wander around (aimlessly)”)

to go or wonder all over some place or everywhere


jaye

→ Nigerian Pidgin: chop life (calque)

From jẹ (“to consume; to eat”) + ayé (“life”).

com

Jayéọba

A Yoruba name meaning, "Live the life of royalty"

Jayéọlá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Enjoy the privilege of wealth"

Kalẹ̀jayé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Sit and enjoy life"


kọ

O kọ̀ láti kí àgbà yẹn


kọ

Mò ń bá àwọn olùkọ́ yẹn kọ́ ọmọdé wọ̀nyí

I'm helping the teacher teach these children


kọ

Mo kọ́ aṣo mi láti okùn yẹn


kọ

Ó ń bá wọn kọ ọ́


kọ

Mo fẹsẹ̀ kọ òkúta yẹn


kọ

Orin náà ni mo kọ


fọ

àwọn ọdẹ ń fọ̀ sí araa wọn nínú igbó

The hunters are speaking to themselves in the forest

Kúwẹ ti fọ̀? ― What did you say? (Èkìtì)

Kí wofọ̀? ― What did you say? (Ìjẹ̀bú)


fọ

Lọ́ládé ń fọ abọ́


fọ

ògììrì ẹsẹ̀ẹ́ fọ̀


fọ

bí adìẹ́ bá dà ẹ́ lóògún nú, ìwọ náà a sì fọ́ ọ lẹ́yin

If a hen spills your medicine, you should break its eggs (proverb on revenge)

Àwọn ọmọ ogun Ìbàdàn fọ́ ìlú Èkìtì púpọ̀ láyé àtijọ́

In the past, soldiers of the town of Ibadan destroyed many Ekiti towns

(transitive, intransitive) to destroy (a town or nation by war)

ìgò ó fọ́ yángá

(intransitive) to become broken, to explode, to collapse

Ojú mi ti fọ́

I have become blind (literally, "my eyes have broken")

orí ń fọ́ mi

I have a headache (literally - "my head is breaking")

(idiomatic) to suffer from a headache or blindness


fọ

ọmọ́ fọ́ ẹ̀kọ mu

The child liquefied the ẹ̀kọ and drank it


fọ

(transitive) to slap, to hit (with a vessel)


fọ

ọmọ́ fọ́ táá


fọ

àìsán mú kí aláìsàn fọ́

The illness caused the sick person to lose weight

(intransitive) to lose weight, to shrink in body size, to emaciate


wure

From wú (“to bring forth”) + ire (“goodness, good fortune”).

compound

(intransitive) to pray; especially in the Yoruba religion


famu

fà (“to pull”) + mu (“drink”), literally “To draw up and then consume”


gho

(Ọwọ, Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) Alternative form of wò (“to look; to watch”)


dinku

From dín (“to subtract”) + kù (“to remain”), literally “To remove an amount from something but quantity still remains”.

(transitive) to reduce the quantity or scale of something, to decrease

(intransitive) to become decreased or reduced


dumbu

Wọ́n máa ń dúḿbú màlúù fọ́dún Iléyá.

They typically butcher cows for Eid al-Adha.

A-ṣe-kó-súni, Ìmàle Adọ̀dọ̀/ Ó ní ‘Bí wọn kò dúńbú omi/ Òun kò ní mu!/ Bí wọn kò dúńbú ẹja/ Òun kò ní jẹ!

2020, Thematic Preoccupations of D. A. Ọbasá and Ṣóbọ̀ Aróbíodù on Religion and Colonialism:

One who makes things hard for others, an extremist Muslim/ Who says if water was not slaughtered/ He would not drink!/ If fish was not slaughtered/ He would not eat!

(transitive) to butcher, to slaughter (in particular) in the halal method


wọn

Compare with Olukumi ghán, Ifè hã́, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɣã́, ultimately from Proto-Edekiri *ɣã́

Iṣu ti wọ́n jù


powe

From pa (“to tell”) + òwe (“a proverb”).


ṣi

(intransitive) to become dull in appearance


ṣẹju

(intransitive, idiomatic) to blink, to wink


rọra

From rọ̀ (“to be soft”) + ara (“one's body”).

Máa rọra o!


ṣọọki

to shock physically, such as with an electric current


waasu

From Hausa wa'àzī, from Arabic وَعْظ (waʕẓ).

(intransitive) to preach, to give a sermon

(transitive, intransitive) to give a speech, to harangue


dafa

dá (“to cast, to divinate”) + ifá (“Ifá, the Yoruba process of divination”)


kewu

Perhaps from Baatonum kéù (“teaching, studying”)

To recite the Qur'an, to recite an Arabic prayer


bikita

(transitive) to care for, to have concern for


dunaadura

From dú (“to argue, discuss”) + ìná (“spending”) + dú (“to argue, to discuss”) + ìrà (“buying”), "To discuss about spending and buying.".


gbe

Ẹ bá mi gbé Jésù ga.

(transitive) to carry; to lift
(transitive) to exalt

Ẹ jẹ́ a gbé e yẹ̀ wò.

Wá gbé àpò yìí sí yàrá ìyá ẹ.

Come and take this bag to your mum's room.

Dáńfó yẹn ń gbé èèyàn lọ sí Muṣin

That Danfo is transporting people to Mushin

(transitive) to carry; to lift
to take; to transport

Gbé fóònù sórí tébù.

Gbé dígí ẹ sójú, kí o lè kà á dáadáa.

Put on your glasses so you can read it well

Wárápá gbé Ṣadé.

Ṣadé had epilepsy. (literally, “Epilepsy overcame Ṣadé”)

Oorun ti gbé e lọ.

She's fast asleep. (literally, “Sleep has overcome her.”)

(transitive) to carry; to lift
(transitive) to overcome; to overpower

to carry; to lift
to overcome; to overpower

Àpọ́n ṣì ni o, kò ì tíì gbé ìyàwó.

He's still single o, he hasn't yet married a bride.

Gbígbé ni mo gbé e.

Ràkúnmí ò lè gbé ẹrù yín, ẹ̀ ìbá fi í sílẹ̀.

A camel cannot carry your luggage, you should've left it.


gbe

Bàbá mi gbé ní Amẹ́ríkà fúngbà díẹ̀.

My dad lived in the US for a short while.

Ilé tí Bọ́lá ń gbé ò tóbi tó.

The house Bọ́lá lives in isn't big enough.

Abíọ́dún ò gbé nílùú Ìbàdàn mọ́, Èkó ló ń gbé.

Abiodun doesn't live in Ibadan anymore, she lives in Lagos.

Àìná gbélé pẹ̀tẹ́ẹ̀sì.


gbe

Òrìṣà, bí o ò bá lè gbè mí, ṣe mí bí o ti bá mi

Orisha, if you cannot support me, leave me as you met me.

Òwò kan ò lè gbe gbogbo èèyàn.

A single business cannot support everyone.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe á gbè wá o!

Iṣẹ́ olùkọ́ ò lè gbè mí.

Iṣẹ́ náà gbè mí

(intransitive) to be favorable, to be profitable


gbe

orin tí kò ṣòroó dá kò níí ṣòroó gbè

A song that is not difficult to sing will not be difficult to sing a refrain for (proverb on easy handling or response)


gbe

ẹja yìí gbè

to be spoiled, to be in an unsatisfactory condition or state


gbe

ọmọ yìí jókòó gbè mí

to be next or adjacent to something, to be a successor to something (literally next in line)


pẹja

/k͡pɛ̄.d͡ʒā/


lọya

Má lọ́yà mi

(transitive) to unnecessarily argue, to interrogate


polowo

From pè (“to call”) + olówó (“one with money, a person with money”).


papoda

From pa ipò dà (“to switch from life to death”, literally “to switch position”).


ṣalaisi

Contraction of ṣe aláìsí, from ṣe (“to do, to make”) + oní- (“one who has”) + àì- (“negation prefix”) + sí (“to exist”), literally “to do the act of no longer existing”.


ronupiwada

From ronú (“to think”) + padà (“to change”) + ìwà (“behavior”), literally “To think and then change/alter one's behavior”.
Padà is a splitting verb which is split in this case by the noun ìwà


pataki

Compare Nupe kpàtàkì, Edo kpataki, Fon kpàtàkì.

Akin pàtàkì ara ẹ̀.

(informal) to put to use; to make important


re kọja

/ɾé kɔ̄.d͡ʒá/

From the phrase ré kọjá (“to go across”).


pọn

ọpọ́n Ifá

A tool used in divination and the Ifá religion


pọn

to ripe, to mature, to become red (often a sign of ripeness of a fruit)

to be stained
to become dirty, to be poor


pọn

to wrap, (as in leaves used in wrapping food, see ẹẹ́rà)


pọn

to fetch, to draw, to fill, to pump (as in water from a well)


pọn

to mount (as on someone's back), to proceed


takete

(transitive) to stay aside, to abstain, to distance, to stay away


rọnlọọ

/ɾɔ̃̀.lɔ́ɔ́/

From rọ̀n (“to give, to send”) + lí (“in, a”) + ọọ́ (“hand”), literally “To give a lending hand”.


pinnu

From pin (“to come to an end”) + ẹnu (“mouth”), literally “to come to the end of discussion”.

(transitive, intransitive) to decide, to resolve, to conclude


loṣoo

From ló (“to squat”) + òṣó (“a crouching position”).


dubulẹ

dùbú (“to lie across”) + ilẹ̀ (“the ground”)


digbolu

àdìgbòlù

rabid animal, a person infected with rabies


gbagbọ

/ɡ͡bà.ɡ͡bɔ́/

From gbà (“to take, to accept”) + gbọ́ (“to listen, to embrace”), literally “To accept and embrace”.

(splitting verb) to believe, to have faith


kololo

From ká + òlòlò, literally “to make a stutter”.

(transitive, intransitive) Alternative form of kálòlò (“to stutter”)


tunba

Alternative form of túḿbá (“to surrender, to apologize”)


faara

alẹ́ ń fáárà


balaga

From Arabic بَلَغَ (balaḡa) or from bà + ní + agà.

to reach the age of puberty; to become sexually mature


gbalẹ

Contraction of gbá ilẹ̀ (“to sweep the ground”). Cognates include Itsekiri gbálẹ̀, Ifè gbálɛ̀


mọ

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - mọ̀view map


mọ

Ṣó mọ́ àbó dọ̀tí?


mọ

Olúmọ

the Olúmọ rock, found in Abẹ́òkúta, and the deity that inhabits the rock


mọ

(Ọwọ, Ikalẹ) Alternative form of mu (“to drink”)


ṣaworo

to perform the duties of a priest of the òrìṣà such as a babalawo or a Mọgbà

ìṣàwòrò

the act of performing the duties of a priest


tanmọọ

/tã̀.mɔ̃́ɔ̃̀/


gba

Ẹ gbà mí o

(transitive) to rescue, to save, to deliver


gba

Mo gba ẹ̀bùn lọ́wọ́ àwọn òbí mi

(transitive) to take, accept, receive, absorb

Wọ́n ti gba gbogbo ìlú wa

(transitive) to snatch, take, seize, capture

Mo gba apá ọ̀tún

Ọ̀nàkọnà ni o lè gbà rí i

There are several paths they can take to see him

(transitive) to adopt, to take the means of doing something

Yàrá náà á gba gbogbo ẹrù náà

(transitive) to accommodate, occupy, fill up, contain

Ọ̀rọ̀ yìí gba sùúrù

to require, to demand, to make something a condition


gba

(transitive) to combust, to burst into flame


gba

Ẹ̀wù ń gbá kiri nínú afẹ́fẹ́

to billow or blow in the wind, to flutter


gba

Wọ́n ń gbá bọ́ọ̀lù aláfọwọ́gbá

(transitive) to hit, kick, slap, to play (a sport, or with something)

Ilé ni à á kọ́ọ́ gbá, kí a tóó gbáàta

We first must sweep the house, before we sweep outside


gba

Kábíyèsí ń gbá nínú ọlá rẹ̀

(intransitive) to sway, to strut, to walk majestically


gba

Mò ń gbá epo lórí iná

to heat oil, to light a fire on a stove, to set a controlled fire


gba

wọ́n fi aṣọ gbá etí ẹní

They used cloth to hem the edge of the mat

to hem the edges of a mat, cloth, or net


ṣalaye

ṣe (“to make”) + àlàyé (“an explanation”).

compound

Ṣó o lè ṣàlàyé ẹ̀ fún mi?


ṣayẹwo

ṣe (“to do”) + àyẹ̀wò (“an examination, test”).


ṣepinya

From ṣe (“to do”) + ìpínyà (“a division, separation”).


ṣelu

ṣe (“to do”) + ìlú (“settlement, city, town, city-state”).


ṣafikun

From ṣe (“to make”) + àfikún (“addition”).


ṣokunfa

From ṣe (“to make”) + okùnfà (“a cause, a factor”).


ṣẹda

From ṣe (“to make”) + ẹ̀dá (“a creation”).

(transitive) to create, to make a creation


ṣewadii

From ṣe (“to do”) + ìwádìí (“investigation”).

to investigate, to conduct an investigation.


ṣeto

From ṣe (“to make”) + ètò (“an arrangement, an organisation”).


ṣawawi

(intransitive) to make an excuse, to give excuses.


ṣawari

From ṣe (“to make”) + àwárí (“discovery”).


ṣatunto

From ṣe (“to make”) + àtúntò (“adjustment”).


ṣatunṣe

From ṣe (“to make”) + àtúnṣe (“renovation; update; reform”).


panakata

Ó panakàtá


gwẹ

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ, Ọwọ, Usẹn) Alternative form of wẹ̀ (“to bathe”)


wẹ

Possibly derived from Proto-Yoruboid *gwɛ̀. Cognate with Igala gwẹ̀


gbede

Contraction of gbọ́ èdè (“to understand a language”).

contraction

Kò kúkú gbédè Faransé.


sọrọ

Contraction of sọ ọ̀rọ̀ (“to say words”).

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - sọ̀rọ̀view map

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

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

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

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

Yé sọ̀rọ̀!


fọrọ wa ọrọ wo lẹnu

head

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

yo-pos

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

yo-verb

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

fọ̀rọ̀ wá ọ̀rọ̀ wò lẹ́nu

/fɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ wá ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ wò lɛ́.nũ̄/

From fi (“to put”) + ọ̀rọ̀ (“words”) + wá (“to find”) + ọ̀rọ̀ (“words”) + wò (“to look”) + ní (“in”) + ẹnu (“the mouth”), literally "using words to find words".


fọrọ wa lẹnu wo

head

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

yo-pos

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

yo-verb

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

fọ̀rọ̀ wá lẹ́nu wò

/fɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ wá lɛ́.nũ̄ wò/

From fi (“to use”) + ọ̀rọ̀ (“words”) + wá (“to search”) + ní (“in”) + ẹnu (“the mouth”) + wò, literally "to use words to search in the mouth".

compound

Wọ́n fọ̀rọ̀ wá Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù lẹ́nu wò.


fẹ

Mo fẹ́ sùn.

Òjò fẹ́ rọ̀.

It's about to rain. (Rain is almost falling.)

Fẹ́ mi, fẹ́ mi o/ Ó yá sọ̀kalẹ̀/ Mo fẹ́ fún ẹ lẹ́bùn/ Kó o fara balẹ̀/ Mo máa fún ẹ ládùn.

Love me, love me o/ Come on get down/ I want to give you a gift/ So you calm down/ I'll give you pleasure.

(usually transitive, sometimes intransitive, stative) to love

Ṣé wàá fẹ́ mi?


fẹ

Afẹ́fẹ́ ń fẹ́.

Àwọn àgbẹ̀ máa ń fẹ́ ọkà nígbà tí afẹ́fẹ́ bá fẹ́.

Farmers typically winnow when it's windy.


fẹ

Ọ̀rọ̀ àyálò ń fẹ àká-ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá, ṣùgbọ́n ìpàdánù wo ló wà?
Loanwords are expanding Yorùbá's lexicon, but at what cost?


fẹ

ìpàdé e ní fẹ̀

Ọnìkan kìí jẹ́ kí ìlú fẹ̀

One person does not cause a town to become prosperous

(chiefly CY and SEY) to be successful, to be prosperous

(chiefly CY and SEY) to be mature, to be ripe


ghọn

Compare with Ifè ŋɔ́, Olukumi ghọn, Igala ñwọ̀, proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ɣɔ̃̀, *ŋɔ̃̀, ultimately Proto-Yoruboid *ŋʷɔ̃̀, Proto-Yoruboid *wɔ̃̀


ghọn

(Owe) Owe form of wọ̀n (“to weigh, to measure”)


ghọn

Compare with Ifè ŋɔ, Ede Cabe wɔ̃ Igala ñọ, proposed to be derived from Proto-Edekiri *ŋʊ̃, ultimately Proto-Yoruboid *ŋʊ̃. Also see Proto-Yoruba *ŋʊ̃. Compare with Ayere ŋɔ

(Ondo, Ikalẹ, Ilajẹ, Yagba, Gbẹdẹ, Ijumu) to weave


ghọn

Compare with Olukumi ghán, Ifè hã́, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɣã́

Isu ti ghọ́n

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


sẹngwa

Tolú ù sẹngwà


pọfọ

From pa (“to tell”) + ọfọ̀ (“incantation”).


pariwo

From pa (“to tell, to convey”) + ariwo (“noise”).


palọ

From pa (“to tell”) + àlọ́ (“folktale”).


paṣẹ

From pa (“to convey”) + àṣẹ (“authority”).


poṣe

From pa (“to convey”) + òṣé (“kiss of the teeth”).


pogede

From pa (“to recite”) + ògèdè (“an incantation”).


pagọ

From pa (“to set up”) + àgọ́ (“camp, impermanent settlement”).

to camp, to set up an impermanent settlement


hẹngwa

Aya olùkọ́ hẹngwà


ghun

Ó ghùn mí jí n jẹran

(Ilajẹ, Ikalẹ) Alternative form of wù (“to please”)


yubẹ

É è yaà yúbẹ̀. ― She can't go there. (Ọ̀wọ̀)


ṣainọn

(Ondo) Alternative form of ṣàánú (“to have mercy”)


ṣọwọn

From ṣe (“to make, to be”) + ọ̀wọ́n (“rare, scare”)


ṣọọn

ṣe (“to do, make”) + ọ̀ọ́n (“rare, scare, expensive”)

igi bí èlú ṣọ̀ọ́n ― An indigo-colored tree is rare (family oríkì)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ṣọ̀wọ́n (“to be rare”)


yọn

Cognates include Itsekiri yọ̀n, Ifè ɖɔ̃̀. Likely from the same root as dùn

Oyin yọ̀n yéye ― Honey is very sweet (Ìlàjẹ)

(Ọwọ, Ondo, Ikalẹ, Ilajẹ) to be sweet; to be delicious; to be pleasurable


hunwa

Ayé ìn hunwà


zẹ

A zẹ èrún lí oko.


lọwọọwọ

/lɔ́.wɔ́ɔ́.wɔ́/

contraction

lọ́wọ́rọ́wọ́


gbọkan le

/ɡ͡bɔ́.kã̀ lé/

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

com

Kò sẹ́ni tá a lè gbọ́kàn lé.

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


gbẹsẹ le

/ɡ͡bɛ́.sɛ̀ lé/

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


gbo

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

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

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

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


gbo

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

O ò ní tètè gbó, wàá pẹ́ láyé.

Àgbàdo ò ì tíì gbó


gbo

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

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


gbo

Mo gbo igi kí èso ré.

I shook the tree so the fruit would fall.

Àìsí ńlé mi gbò ó.

Àìsàn náà ṣì ń gbò wá

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

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

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

(transitive) to trouble; to take its toll


gborin

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

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


yọ

(intransitive) to rejoice, to become elated


yọ

mo yọ̀ ṣubú

ilẹ̀ ẹ́ yọ̀

ọbẹ̀ ewédú yọ̀

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


yọ

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

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

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


yọ

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

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

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

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

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

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

òṣùpá yọ

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


yọ

òṣùpá yọ

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

àgbàdó ti yọmọ

(horticulture, intransitive) to sprout, to grow


yọ

Orí i rẹ̀ẹ́ yọ ọ́

(transitive) to rescue, to deliver, to save


yọ

(intransitive) to slip off, to glide off something


yọ

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

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

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


yọ

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


yọ

òrí yọ́

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


yọ

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


mọwe

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

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


fọ leti

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

Màá fọ́ ẹ létí!

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


ba jẹ

Ó ti bà jẹ́.

Olú ba iṣu jẹ́.

Àyíká ti bà jẹ́.

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

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

Inú ìyá mi bà jẹ́

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

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

Ọkàn ẹ̀ bà jẹ́

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

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

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

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

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


dọti bi ẹlẹdẹ

head

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

yo-pos

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

yo-verb

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

dọ̀tí bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀

/dɔ̀.tí bí ɛ̄.lɛ́.dɛ̀/

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


gbẹ

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

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


gbẹ

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

(intransitive) to become dry; to become dehydrated


gbẹ

(intransitive) to become emaciated or evaporated


gbẹ

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

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


gbẹ

wọ́n gbẹ́ kànga

(transitive, intransitive) to dig; to dig up


gbẹ

abodìẹ́ ń gbẹ́ kẹ́kẹ́ lórí ẹyin

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


le koko bi oju ẹja

/lē kō.kō bí ō.d͡ʒú ɛ̄.d͡ʒā/


rẹwa bi egbin

/ɾɛ̄.wà bí ē.ɡ͡bĩ̄/

(simile) to be as beautiful as a kob antelope


nẹ

Cognates with Itsekiri nẹ́, Ifè nɛ́, Yoruba ní

Fú mi urun dede kí wẹn nẹ́ nọ́yín!

Give me everything you have now! (Ijebu)


nẹ

Líwo yẹ̀n nẹ obì náti mu àyọ̀nmọ́ wọn

The Liwo tossed the kolanuts to know their destiny

(Ijebu) to toss split kolanuts for divination


nẹ

Màá nẹ orúwo mi nénìí


dun bi oyin

/dũ̀ bí ō.jĩ̄/


ga bi omiran

/ɡā bí ò.mĩ̀.ɾã́/


kuru bi kukute

head

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté

yo-pos

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté

yo-verb

kúrú bí kùkùté

kúrú bí kùkùté


pirọrọ bi ẹja ojiji

/k͡pī.ɾɔ̄.ɾɔ̄ bí ɛ̄.d͡ʒā ò.d͡ʒí.d͡ʒí/

(simile) to be as calm as an electric eel


lowo bi ṣẹkẹrẹ

head

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-pos

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

yo-verb

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

lówó bí ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀

/ló.wó bí ʃɛ̀.kɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

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


rẹwa

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - rẹwàview map

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


jiroro

/d͡ʒí.ɾò.ɾò/


gbadura

/ɡ͡bà.dú.ɾà/


gbin

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


nipọn

/nĩ́.ꜜk͡pɔ̃̄/


fuyẹ

(idiomatic) to be relieved from a sickness


singbọnlẹ

/sĩ́.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.lɛ̀/


taaba

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

to wash one's body after using the toilet


ṣun

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

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

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

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


wuwo

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


sọrọ soke

/sɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ só.kè/

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


سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

head

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ (transliteration needed)

yo-pos

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ

yo-verb

سوَْروَْ سوْكعِ


gbadun

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


pokunso

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


kogba wọle

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

com

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


gbiyanju

/ɡ͡bì.jã̀.d͡ʒú/

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

compound

to persevere, to try, to make a serious effort


sinmi

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


bẹru

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

(transitive) to show respect, to venerate


fajuro

/fā.d͡ʒú.ɾō/

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


jẹwọ

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


jẹwọ

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


sufee

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


ṣeleri

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

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


ba ẹsẹ sọrọ

head

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

yo-pos

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

yo-verb

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

bá ẹsẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀

/bá ɛ̄.sɛ̀ sɔ̀.ɾɔ̀/


fori jale agbọn

/fō.ɾí d͡ʒá.lé ā.ɡ͡bɔ̃́/

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

com

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

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


dọ

(transitive) to cut a piece from a whole


dọ

ọmọ ń dọ́ lorí oúnjẹ tó fẹ́ẹ́ jẹ

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

to be picky or fussy about taste or choice of food


koro bi ewuro

/kō.ɾò bí ē.wú.ꜜɾō/

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


tọju

→ Gun: tɔ́jú

→ Fon: tɔ́jú

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


nipasẹ

From ní (“to have”) + ipa (“path, route”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot”), literally “To have a link to a path”.

to have or possess a personal or direct connection or link


gbọgbẹ

/ɡ͡bɔ̄.ɡ͡bɛ́/

From gbà (“to receive”) + ọgbẹ́ (“wound”).

ọkùnrin náàá gbọgbẹ́ sára

ọkàn mi gbọgbẹ́

My heart has become wounded (My heart is broken)


labaa

From ní (“to have”) + àbá (“idea, suggestion”).


wọ

(transitive) to insert something (through some space)

(transitive) to wear or put on (clothing)


wọ

Ó ti wọ ọgbà rẹ̀ láti wo ìlà oòrùn

She entered the yard to look towards the east


wọ

yìnyín wọ̀

(intransitive) to fall, to drop from a tree (as a fruit or leaf)


wọ

oòrùn ti wọ̀

(intransitive, of a heavenly body) to set, to go down


wọ

(intransitive) to work out, to become agreeable or acceptable


wọ

(transitive) to pluck fruit or leaves (from a tree)


wọ

Èrò ti ń wọ́ níbẹ̀

(used with èrò (“crowd”)) to be full; to be packed


wọ

Ọlọ́dẹ wọ́ egbin lọọlé.

The hunter dragged the kob antelope home.

Ẹ rí bó ṣe ń wọ́ bí ejò nílẹ̀.

Look how it slithers on the ground like a snake.


patẹwọ

From pa (“to rub, to put together”) + àtẹ́ (“that which is flat”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”), literally “To clap the flat part of the hands together”.

Ẹ kúuṣẹ́, pàtẹ́wọ́ fún ara yín!


hewu

From hù (“to sprout; to grow [hair]”) + ewú (“grey hair”).


gbajumọ

/ɡ͡bā.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃̀/

From gbà (“to receive”) + ojú (“face”) + mọ̀ (“to know”), literally “To have a face that is well known”.


gbajumọ

/ɡ͡bá.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃́/

From gbá (“to hit”) + ojú (“face”) + mọ́ (“with, to”), literally “To focus one's face onto something”.

Ọmọ yìí gbájúmọ́ ìwé rẹ

This child is concentrated on his education

(intransitive) to concentrate on something, to be preoccupied with something, to be serious about something


jinki

/d͡ʒí.ŋ̀.kí/


rin ni igake

head

rìn ní ìgàkè

rìn ní ìgàkè

yo-pos

rìn ní ìgàkè

rìn ní ìgàkè

yo-verb

rìn ní ìgàkè

rìn ní ìgàkè

/ɾĩ̀ nĩ́ ì.ɡà.kè/

mo rin ọmọ náà ní ìgàkè

(transitive) to tickle, (literally, "to tickle someone and cause them to move in a twisted motion")


yanju

(transitive) to resolve, to settle, to sort out something

(intransitive) to become resolved, to become sorted out


figagbaga

/fī.ɡā.ɡ͡bá.ɡā/

From fi (“to use”) + iga (“limbs”) + gbá (“to hit”) + iga (“limbs”), literally “to use one's limbs to hit another's limbs”.

compound

to engage in a physical confrontation (usually in a test)


kalolo

From ká + òlòlò, literally “to make a stutter”.

(transitive, intransitive) to stammer, to stutter


fori gbalẹ

/fō.ɾí ɡ͡bá.lɛ̀/

From fi (“to use”) + orí (“head”) + gbá (“to knock”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”).

com

(idiomatic) To behave irrationally; To act stupidly

(literal) To slam one's head on the floor


yẹra

From yẹ̀ (“to shift”) + ara (“body”), literally “to shift one's body”.

compound

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ẹ yẹra fún mi

(idiomatic) to give way, to move out of the way for someone, to allow someone to be excused


filẹ ṣaṣọ bora

/fī.lɛ̀ ʃā.ʃɔ̄ bō.ɾā/

From fi (“to use”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”) + ṣe (“to make”) + aṣọ (“garment”) + bò (“to cover”) + ara (“body”), literally “To use the ground as a covering for the body”.

com

(idiomatic, euphemistic) To pass away (to die)

(literal) To use the ground to make a garment to cover the body


forikori

From fi (“to use”) + orí (“head, soul”) + kò (“to touch”) + orí (“head, soul”), literally “to use one's head to touch another's”. Yoruba myth states that this etymology comes from the fact that before speech was invented, humans communicated by touching their heads together and communicating via their souls.

ìforíkorí

consultation, deliberation, brainstorming session

(idiomatic, intransitive) to consult (with several people), to deliberate with others, to brainstorm

(literally) to make one's head connect with another's


fipamunijagun

From fi (“to use”) + ipá (“force”) + mú (“to make”) + ẹni (“person”) + jagun (“fight a war”), literally “to force someone to fight a war”.

afipámúnijagun

one who conscripts people into the military


rẹjẹ

From rẹ́ (“to slice off”) + jẹ (“to eat”).

(splitting verb, intransitive) to cheat, to defraud

(literally) to slice off something to eat


tanjẹ

(literally) to trick someone into eating

(splitting verb, transitive) to cheat someone, to deceive, to take advantage of someone


gbọ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *gbɔ́. Cognate with Igala gbọ́ (“to hear, listen, understand”)

cog

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbọ́view map

a kì í gbọ́ 'gbìì' eèrà!

ó gbọ́ tèmi

(transitive, intransitive) to obey, listen, to respond

kò gbọ́ dòò

mo ń gbọ́ òórùn epo dídùn


gbọ

oúnjẹ ti gbọ́

to be ready; (in particular) for food to be ready


gbọ

òògùn yìí gbọ́ orí fífọ́


gbọ

erùpẹ̀ yìí gbọ́ àgbàdo

to be favorable; (in particular) for soil to be favorable for growing something


dẹ

ọsàn yìí ti dẹ̀

ọmọ́ dẹ́

(idiomatic, by extension) to be stupid or foolish; (literally) to have a soft head (indicating that one has no brain)

ibà mi ti dẹ̀

to become reduced or weakened in degree or intensity


dẹ

Proposed to have been derived from Proto-Yoruboid *dɛ. Cognate with Igala dẹ (“to hunt”)

Mo dẹ ìgèrè láti pẹja

(transitive, intransitive) to hunt; to set a trap

(intransitive) to become a skillful hunter


tọ

olè níí mọ ẹsẹ̀ olèé tọ̀ lórí àpáta

Only a thief can trace the footprints of a thief on a rock


tọ

tọ bí ọ̀pọ̀lọ́


tọ

to take or draw out a measured quantity of something


tọ

tọ́ ọmọ rẹ kí wọ lè ní ìsinmi

Train your child so that you can have rest

(transitive) to guide, to train, to nurture, to raise


tọ

to be straight, to be on a straight line


tọ

ó tọ́ kí a lọ kí wọn


tọ

(idiomatic) to have a long-life, to be long-lived


gẹ

mo dúpẹ́ bí babá ṣe kẹ́ mi àti bí ó ṣe gẹ̀ mí

I am thankful for how the father cared for me and petted me fondly

(transitive, intransitive) to pet or adore someone; to care for someone


gẹ

ó gẹ̀ sórí àga

(intransitive, of a person) to sit comfortably


gẹ

(intransitive, of a person) to wear something on the head to fit


gbaradi

/ɡ͡bā.ɾā.dì/

/ɡ͡bá.ɾā.dì/

From gbé (“to carry”) + ara (“body, one's self”) + dì + [Term?] (“before”), literally “to prepare one's self ahead of time”.

compound

Wọ́n ń gbaradì fún ogun


gbera ga

/ɡ͡bé.ɾā ɡā/

From gbé (“to carry”) + ara (“body”) + ga (“to be high”), literally “to carry oneself high”.

com

(idiomatic) to be haughty; to be proud; to be arrogant


gbera

Nígbà tí ọkọ̀ òkun ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ gbéra ní etíkun, ìgbòkun bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í ya.

As the ship was just leaving the coast, the sail started to tear

Ọkọ̀ òfuurufú á gbéra láago mẹ́ta ọ̀sán.

The aircraft will depart at three in the afternoon.


balẹ

From bà (“to land; to perch”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”).

Ọkàn mi balẹ̀

I feel reassured (literally, “My heart is grounded”)

hold oneself together
hold oneself together

(with ara) to be calm; to hold oneself together

A ti fẹ́ balẹ̀ sílùú Ìbàdàn


bẹrẹ

(transitive, intransitive) to start, to commence, to begin


gbọnre

From gbọ̀n (“to shake off”) + rè (“to go, away”)

compound

(Ekiti, Ilajẹ, splitting verb, transitive) to leave alone, to abandon


gbọn

(intransitive) to shiver, to tremble, to shake out


gbọn

ó lọ gbọn ìdà rẹ̀ lágbẹ̀dẹ

He went to reshapen his sword at the smithy

to reshape or sharpen a metallic object or tool through beating under intense heat


gbọn

mo gbọ́n ìrẹsì látinú kòkò sínú ike

I scooped the rice from the pot into the plastic container

to draw out or scoop out (a liquid, powder, or food)


pọnmọ

/k͡pɔ̃̄.mɔ̃̄/


bijawara bi ẹkun

head

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

yo-pos

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

yo-verb

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

bìjàwàrà bí ẹkùn

/bì.d͡ʒà.wà.ɾà bíī ɛ̄.kũ̀/


gbeegun

From gbé (“to carry”) + Eégún (“Egungun, Egungun costume”), see Egúngún.

compound

(euphemistic) to engage in an illegal act (usually under some cover or cloak)

àwọn akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ gbéégún wọ ibi ìdánwò

The students smuggled a cheat sheet into the examination hall

(euphemistic) to cheat in an examination; to smuggle a cheat sheet into an examination


gbeegun

From gbé (“to carry”) + eegun (“bones”).

(idiomatic) to scoop up bones from a stew instead of meat

(idiomatic, euphemistic) to be unlucky, to lack good fortune


jẹ agbọnrin eṣi lọbẹ

head

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

yo-pos

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

yo-verb

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

jẹ àgbọ̀nrín èṣí lọ́bẹ̀

/d͡ʒɛ̄ à.ɡ͡bɔ̃̀.ɾĩ́ è.ʃí lɔ́.bɛ̀/

From jẹ (“to eat”) + àgbọ̀nrín (“antelope”) + èṣí (“last year”) + ní (“in, as”) + ọbẹ̀ (“stew, soup”).

compound

(idiomatic) to bring up an outdated or old subject in conversation

(literally) to eat last year's antelope as stew


juba ehoro

/d͡ʒú.bà ē.hō.ɾō/

(idiomatic, intransitive) to take to the hills, to flee


gbana jẹ

/ɡ͡bā.nã́ d͡ʒɛ̄/

From gba (“to take”) + iná (“fire”) + jẹ (“to eat”)

com

(idiomatic) to get heated up; to be furious


pọ bi iyanrin

/k͡pɔ̀ bí ī.jã̄.ɾĩ̀/


ga bi ọpẹ

/ɡā bí ɔ̀.k͡pɛ̄/


gbeborun

/ɡ͡bé.bō.ɾũ̀/

From gbé (“to carry”) + ìborùn (“iborun (a shoulder sash worn by women)”).

(neologism, idiomatic) to gossip; to gist


padanu

From pa (“to make, to do”) + àdánù (“serious loss and misfortune”).

compound

(transitive) to lose (especially when it is an irretrievable loss); to forfeit


mọlẹbi

From mọ̀ (“to know”) + ní (“in, as”) + ẹbí (“family”), literally “To know as family”.

to treat or know someone as one's relative


gbeja

Contraction of gbe ìjà (“to support a fight”)


pẹ

kí ọba kí ó pẹ́!

May the king live long (literally, “May the king last (on the throne)”)


jọ

àwọn ọmọ yìí jọ ìyá wọn gan-an ni


jọ

to assemble; to congregate; to add up to something

wọ́n jọ lọ


fọn

to take a piece of something (usually in the context of red coal)


fọn

(Igbomina) to set out for a new location


fọn

Cognate with Igala fa. Third sense may be related to Igala fá (“to expel mucus forcefully”)

(transitive) to blow an instrument; (in particular) a wind instrument or horn

erín fọn


fọn

egbò t'ó wú ti fọn

to emaciate, to shrink, to slim down; to lose weight


fọn

àgbẹ́ fọ́n ọmọ ata sínú oko

The farmer scattered the pepper seeds on the farm

(transitive, intransitive) to scatter things about; to disperse

ó fọ́n omi sí wa lára

They sprayed water on us (literally, “They sprayed water on our bodies”)

(transitive) to sprinkle or spray liquid


yanana

Alternative form of yànnàná (“to examine; explore”)


pọ

Compare Nupe kpwà (“to be cheap; to be abundant”)

cog

Iṣu pọ̀ lọ́jà

Ó dà bí pé iṣẹ́ pọ̀ sí i ṣùgbọ́n owó dín kù

It was as if the work was increasing but the pay was decreasing

Àǹfààní pọ̀ jaburata


pọ

Ó pọ ẹ̀jẹ̀


pọ

Táyà kẹ̀kẹ́ ò ṣòroó pọ́


pẹlu

Possibly a grammaticalized form of pa (“to do; to make”) + ẹ̀lú (“mixture, combination, association”)

compound

mo pẹ̀lú u wọn lọ

Ọlọ́run á máa pẹ̀lú gbogbo wa

to accompany someone, to be with someone


niran

From ní (“to have”) + ìran (“mental vision; supernatural vision; memory”), literally “to have a memory”, chiefly used in Southeast Yoruba dialects, it is largely being replaced by rántí

mo níran ọ̀rọ̀ náà

mo ní baba níran


sunkun

From sun (“to shed, to cry out”) + ẹkún (“tears”)


parọwa

From pa (“to tell”) + àrọwà (“exhortation; entreaty; appeal; pleading”).


dudu bi koro iṣin

/dú.dú bí kó.ɾó ī.ʃĩ̄/


lu bi aṣọ ofi

head

lù bí aṣọ òfì

lù bí aṣọ òfì

yo-pos

lù bí aṣọ òfì

lù bí aṣọ òfì

yo-verb

lù bí aṣọ òfì

lù bí aṣọ òfì

/lù bí ā.ʃɔ̄ ò.fì/

Ọlọ́pàá lù wọ́n bí aṣọ òfì

(simile) to beat like aso oke (a type of textile woven with a loom)


sẹn

Wẹn máa dúró fú mi kí m lè sẹ́n èkùrọ́ kí m nẹ́ nọ́wọ́

Wait for me to finish cracking the palm nuts I have at hand


sẹn

Cognate with Yoruba sìn, Ifè sɛ̃̀, Olukumi hẹ̀n. Compare Gun sɛ̀n, Fon sɛ̀n, Adja sɛ̀n

Màá sẹ̀n ẹ́ pẹ̀lú urun dede rìí ḿ nẹ́

I'll worship you with everything that I have


sẹn

Màá sẹn ọ̀nẹ̀ kí àbúrò mi fú mi

I'll domesticate the crocodiles my brother gave me


pọ si i

/k͡pɔ̀ sí ī/

From pọ̀ (“to be plenty”) + sí i (“to increase, add on”)

compound

Ìmọ̀ ọmọ yẹn ṣì ń pọ̀ sí i


tẹ

Páànù òrùlé tuntun tẹ́ pẹrẹsẹ, ó sì dán gbinrin

The new corrugated iron roof is flat and shiny


tẹ

Ìdòwú tẹ́ ẹní.


ti lẹyin

From tì (“to push”) + lẹ́yìn (“behind”), literally “to push from behind”


jẹnnọ

/d͡ʒɛ̃̀.nɔ̀/

From jẹ̀n (“to be far”) + ọ̀nọ̀ (“road”). Cognate with Yoruba jìnnà


miringindin

/mĩ̀.ɾĩ̀.ɡĩ̀.dĩ̀/

Ọdún á yabo, ọdún á mìrìngìndìn!

Bí ìwọ̀n tí ó fi ń ran àwọn ènìyàn ṣe ń lọ sílẹ̀ gan-an, ó jọ pé ọjọ́ ọ̀la yóò mìnrìngìndìn.

1997, “Ìjagunmólú àti Ọ̀ràn Ìbànújẹ́”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

As infection rates plummeted, the future looked rosy.

to be wonderful; to be enjoyable; to be delightful


fifu

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

Ara rẹ̀ ti fifu.


ṣoro

From ṣe (“to do; to make”) + oró (“poison; venom”)

com

Àgékù ejò, tí ń ṣoró bí agbọ́n

A seathered snake that stings like a wasp


jẹun

Màá ṣiṣẹ́ tán kí n tó jẹun ọ̀sán lénìí.

I'll finish the work before I eat lunch today.

Kí ni wọ́n ń ṣe jẹun?


mumi

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


jẹun soke

/d͡ʒɛ̄.ũ̄ só.kè/

From jẹun (“to eat”) + sókè (“towards the upper part”), modelled on jẹun síkùn (“to eat well”).

com

(neologism, informal) to move on; to go on


jẹun sapo

/d͡ʒɛ̄.ũ̄ sá.k͡pò/

From jẹun (“to eat”) + sí (“towards”) + àpò (“pocket”), literally “to enrich one's pocket”, modelled on jẹun síkùn (“to eat well”).


bọdi

to insert some type of medication (often an IM) into the anus, buttocks


pabanbari

Ìtàn tó paban̄barì

to be astonishing; remarkable; extraordinary


wọde

From wọ́ (“to crowd”) + òde (“public area”).


wọde

From wọ (“to enter”) + òde (“public area; outside”).


kọja

From kọ + já (“to break; to break limit”)

to go or pass beyond time, place, or people; to cross

to exceed some degree, quantity, time, distance


ranṣẹ

(transitive, ditransitive) to send or dispatch a message or errand


ranti

From rán (“to remember; to keep a bad memory”) + etí (“ear”)

compound

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - rántíview map

rántí嚽Ìjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀búÌjẹ̀bú Òdenírọn嚽Rẹ́mọẸ̀pẹ́nírọn嚽Ìkòròdúnírọn嚽Ṣágámùnírọn嚽Ìkálẹ̀Òkìtìpupaníran嚽ÌlàjẹMahinníran嚽OǹdóOǹdónían嚽Ọ̀wọ̀Ọ̀wọ̀níran嚽

yèrè嚽UsẹnUsẹnyerhè嚽ÌtsẹkírìÌwẹrẹtìgbì嚽OlùkùmiUgbódùyèwá嚽Proto-YorubaCentral YorubaÈkìtìÈkìtìÀdó Èkìtìyèrè嚽Àkúrẹ́Àkúrẹ́yèrè嚽Mọ̀bàỌ̀tùn Èkìtìyèrè嚽Northwest YorubaẸ̀gbádòÌjàkárántí嚽ÈkóÈkórántí嚽ÌbàdànÌbàdànrántí嚽ÌlọrinÌlọrinrántí嚽OǹkóÒtùrẹ́ntí嚽Ìwéré Ilérẹ́ntí嚽Òkèhòrẹ́ntí嚽Ìsẹ́yìnrẹ́ntí嚽Ṣakírẹ́ntí嚽Tedérẹ́ntí嚽Ìgbẹ́tìrẹ́ntí嚽Ọ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́rántí嚽Standard YorùbáNàìjíríàrántí嚽Bɛ̀nɛ̀rántí嚽Northeast Yoruba/OkunÌyàgbàÌsánlú Ìtẹ̀dórántí嚽OwéKabbarọ́ntí嚽Ede Languages/Southwest YorubaỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí-ÌjèỌ̀họ̀rí/Ɔ̀hɔ̀rí/ÌjèÌkpòbɛ́rántí嚽Onigbolorántí嚽Kétu/ÀnàgóKéturántí嚽Ifɛ̀Akpárétédzú嚽Atakpamɛtédzú嚽Tchettitédzú嚽Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties


tẹpa mọṣẹ

/tɛ̄.k͡pá mɔ̃́.ʃɛ́/

From tẹ (“to apply”) + ipá (“force”) + mọ́ (“towards”) + iṣẹ́ (“work”).


rọbi

to labour; to be in the pains of childbirth


ghẹngwa

Ọnẹ yí a bí rire, ó ghàn jù ọnẹ a bí ghẹngwà.

A well born person is better than a beautiful person.

Ìlàjẹ, agbénọ́kọ̀ghẹngwà.

Ilaje, the ones who are beautiful in canoes.


sụọn

mọ́ gbàdúrà kí òní í, kọ́ sụọ̀n


birọ

From bí (“ask”) + ọ̀rọ̀ (“word”). Cognates include Itsekiri bírọ̀


ṣẹ

Ó fẹsẹ̀ ṣẹ́

Ikán ń ṣẹ́ láti ilẹ̀ sísán

Termites are teeming from the cracked earth

Ọmọlúwàbí kò gbọdọ̀ ṣẹ́ èpè

(with èpè (“swear; curse”)) to curse; to swear


ṣẹ

Wọ́n máa ń tún ààfin Ọ̀yọ́ ṣẹ́ lọ́dọọdún Bẹẹrẹ

The palace of Oyo is rethatched every Beere festival


ṣẹ

Ìṣẹ́ ti ṣẹ́ ọ̀tá wa.


ṣẹ

O ti ṣẹ̀ wá, o dẹ̀ ti já wa kulẹ̀.


ṣẹ

A ò tíì kófá nílẹ̀, gbogbo ẹ̀ ti ń ṣẹ.

We haven't packed the Ifa divination paraphernalia from the ground, and everything's already manifesting.


ṣẹ

Ibo ni wọ́n ti ṣẹ̀ wá?


jẹrun

From jẹ (“to eat”) + urun (“thing”). Cognates include Itsekiri jẹrun, Yoruba jẹun


sinwin

From sín + iwín. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *sĩ́wṹ, *sĩ́wĩ́, compare with Olukumi shíwín, Ifè sṹrṹ


pubu

From pa (“to do”) + ubú (“deep body of water”)


roguro

From ró + gùrò, first part of the phrase derives from the verb ró (“to stay, to stand, to lift up”)


rẹrin-in

From rín (“to laugh; smile”) + ẹ̀rín (“laugh; smile”).


riran

Wọn ò lè ríran, ojú wọn ti fọ́ ni.


mooru

ìta móoru

Outside is hot (literally, “The weather or climate outside is hot”)

to be hot or humid ((in terms of weather)


sun mọ

(literally) to slide or push oneself or something nearer to another

(euphemistic) to have sexual intercourse


tuntun

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


yụn

Cognates include Itsekiri yọ̀n, Olukumi yọ̀n, Ifè ɖɔ̃̀. Likely from the same root as dùn, and perhaps influence from Oǹdó influenced the change /d/ to /j/ (y).

(Ekiti) to be sweet; to be delicious; to be pleasurable


wọle

From wọ̀ (“to enter”) + ilé (“house, home”)


kunlẹ

From kún (“to kneel”) + ilẹ̀ (“land ground”), literally “to kneel towards the ground”. Doublet of orúnkún and orókún


dọbalẹ

→ Krio: dɔbalɛ

From dọ̀ (“to lie”) + bá (“towards”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, land”)


kari-aye

From ká (“to surround”) + orí (“head, surface”) + ayé (“world”)


kaakiri

From ká (“to surround; everywhere”) + kiri (“to wander around (aimlessly)”)

Alternative form of kákiri (“to go or wonder all over some place or everywhere”)

kákiri

Alternative form of kákiri (“to be everywhere”)


lọpọlọpọ

head

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

yo-pos

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

yo-verb

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

lọ́pọ̀lọ́pọ̀

From ní (“to have”) + ọ̀pọ̀lọ́pọ̀ (“many things”), ultimately from ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”) + -ní- (“to have”) + ọ̀pọ̀ (“plentifulness”)


lẹyin

From ní (“in; to have”) + ẹ̀yìn (“back, behind, legacy”). Older sources and many names will use the form lẹ́hìn

to last for a long time; to have a legacy

Apẹ́lẹ́yìn

a Yoruba name meaning "One who arrives late"


lẹhin

Non-standard spelling of lẹ́yìn, from ní (“in; to have”) + ẹ̀hìn (“back, behind, legacy”). Largely found in older sources

Fájẹ́milẹ́hìn

a Yoruba name meaning "Ifa allowed me to have a legacy"

Archaic spelling of lẹ́yìn (“to last for a long time; to have a legacy”).


danwo

From dán (“to try”) + wò (“to see, look”)

(splitting verb) to test someone or oneself; to try to do something


nirọn

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

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

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


yinnu

(splitting verb) to ignore; to reject, renounce

Adéyìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "The crown did not ignore me"

Akínyìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "Bravery did not ignore"

Fáyìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "Ifa did not ignored me

Ọláyìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "Honor did not reject me

Ọmọ́yìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "The child did not reject me"

Ògúnyìnmínù

Yoruba name meaning "Ogun did not ignored me


ṣakoso

From ṣe (“to do”) + àkóso (“management, control, administration”)

to administrate, administer; to control, manage

ìṣàkóso

the act of managing or administrating; administration


da ni

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

ó dá ìbọn ní

(splitting verb) to own or possess something completely by oneself

mo ti dá igi ní

(splitting verb) to take hold of something


gọ

O lọ́gbọ́n jù, o gbọ́n, o gbọ́n, o gbọ́n, ìwọ ló gbọ́n jù. Agbọ́ngbọ́njù, ọgbọ́n, a mà mọlọ́gbọ́n gọ̀, ó ti lọ́gbọ́n jù.

2022, Asake (lyrics and music), “Organize”, 0:38–0:52:


gọ

Àjànàkú kúrò lẹ́ran à ń gọ dè.

The elephant is not among the animals one lies in ambush for.


kẹkọọ

From kọ́ (“to learn”) + ẹ̀kọ́ (“lesson”).

A rán ọmọ wa lọ sílé ìwé oníbùgbé láti kẹ́kọ̀ọ́.

We sent our child to boarding school to learn.


ṣẹlẹ

From ṣẹ (“to happen; to manifest”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”).


pọkan pọ

/k͡pɔ̄.kã̀ k͡pɔ̀/

From pa (“to put”) + ọkàn (“the heart”) + pọ̀ (“together”).

Àwọn akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ ò kí ń pọkàn pọ̀ sórí ọ̀rọ̀ tó ṣe pàtàkì.

The students don't concentrate on the important things.


peju pesẹ

From pé (“to assemble”) + ojú (“face”) + pé (“to assemble”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“foot; leg”).

Ogunlọ́gọ̀ péjú pésẹ̀ sábẹ́ afárá.


wẹdo

From wẹ̀ (“to swim”) + odò (“river”). Compare Ifè wɛɖò.

to swim; especially in or across a river


dogun-un

From dá (“to overpower or to snap, break”) + Ògún (“deity of iron”)


fẹran

Ó fẹ́ràn láti máa lọ sí ilé-ìwé láràárọ̀

to like; to love or be fond of someone or something


ran lọwọ

/ɾã̀.lɔ́.wɔ́/

From ràn (“to give”) + ní (“to have, in”) + ọwọ́ (“hand”), literally “To give one a hand”

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ṣé ẹ lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́?


ya lẹnu

From yà (“to separate, split into two”) + ní (“in”) + ẹnu (“mouth”), literally “To gape open one's mouth”.

Ó yà mí lẹ́nu pé wọ́n ò ṣe é dáadáa

It surprised me that they didn't do it well


da pada

From dá (“to give”) + padà (“to return”), literally “To give back”

Ẹ jẹ́ kí n dá aṣọ yìí padà


tẹ jade

/tɛ̀ d͡ʒá.dē/

From tẹ̀ (“to print”) + jáde (“to go out”).

Báwo ni wọ́n máa ń tẹ ìwé náà jáde?


tẹba

From tẹ̀ (“to turn eba”) + ẹ̀bà (“eba”).

Mò ń tẹ̀bà lọ́wọ́


da duro

From dá (“to cause”) + dúró (“to wait, stand”).

ìdádúró

postponement, delay, interruption, stoppage

Ẹ má dá mi dúró jọ̀ọ́!


kolẹ

From kó (“to collect, pack”) + ilẹ̀ (“dirt, rubbish”)

Àwọn ọkọ̀ kólẹ̀kólẹ̀ ń kólẹ̀

to pack dirt, to collect rubbish, to pick up trash


damira

From da (“to spill”) + omira (“amniotic fluid”)

to break water; literally to lose one's amniotic fluid before one goes into labor


kabaamọ

From kó (“to gather, encounter”) + àbámọ̀ (“regret”)

Ọ̀pọ̀ èèyàn ilẹ̀ Gẹ̀ẹ́sì ló kábàámọ̀ pé wọn ò sọ èdè kejì

Many people from the United Kingdom regret that they cannot speak a second language

to regret; (in particular) to be deeply regretful


kọrin

Mò ń kọrin lọ́wọ́


jade laye

From jáde (“to leave”) + ní (“in”) + ayé (“world”).

com

Aláàfin Ọ̀yọ́ ti jáde láyé lọ́dun tó kọjá (2022)

The Alaafin of Oyo left us last year (2022)

(idiomatic, euphemistic) To pass away, leave the world (to die)


ya ara wa

/jà ā.ɾā wā/

From yà (“to separate, split into two”) + ara (“body”) + wa (“us, our”), literally “to separate ourselves”.

compound

Ká má fi ikú ya ara wa


gbọunjẹ

/ɡ͡bɔ́.ṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄/


dẹn

Southeast Yoruba form of Yoruba dín. Also see other Yoruboid cognates, Èkìtì Yoruba dị́n, Itsekiri dẹ́n, Ifè ɖɛ̃́, Igala dẹ́, and Olukumi dín

A dẹ́n ata


gbekuru jẹ lọwọ ẹbọra

/ɡ͡bè.kū.ɾū d͡ʒɛ̄ lɔ́.wɔ́ ɛ̄.bɔ̄.ɾā/

From gbà (“to take”) + èkuru (“ekuru”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + lọ́wọ́ (“from the hands of”) + ẹbọra (“spirit; forest creature”), literally “To take ekuru from the hands of a spirit”

(euphemistic) to die; (in particular) to die suddenly or unexpectedly


da mọ

O ti dá mi mọ̀


lụka

Compare with Owe Yoruba líkà, Ondo Yoruba lúkà


ṣeṣe

From ṣe (“to do”) + èṣe (“injury, harm”)


gbuyele

From gbé (“to carry, to place”) + uyè (“thought, memory, intelligence”) + lé (“upon, onto”), literally “to place one's confidence upon something or someone”


ṣọkọ

From ṣe (“to be, to do”) + ọkọ (“husband”)

(literally) to be a husband, to be someone's husband

Ó ṣọkọ Èkìtì ṣọkọ Àkókó

He ruled over Ekiti and ruled over the Akoko (praise poetry of a king or warrior)

Ó fi okó ṣọkọ Ẹ̀gbá, à á fi òbò ṣọkọ rẹ
You used your manhood to rule over the Ẹgba people, we will now use our womanhood to dominate you (From a 1940s Anti-tax protest song against the Aláké)

(idiomatic, somewhat derogatory) to rule over or dominate a group of people or territory