agbaye

From àgbá (“circle, round entity”) + ayé (“world”), literally “Around the world”.


adanida

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dánidá (“to abandon someone”), ultimately from dá (“agent prefix”) + ẹni (“to act alone”) + dá (“to make, to create”), literally “to abandon someone to act alone on something”.

compound

someone who abandons a person; someone who leaves a person to their fate


adanida

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dánidá (“to abandon someone”), ultimately from ultimately from dá (“agent prefix”) + ẹni (“to act alone”) + dá (“to make, to create”), literally “to abandon someone to act alone on something”.


akọọlẹ

/à.kɔ̄ɔ́.lɛ̀/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ (“to write”) + ọ́ (“it”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”), literally “that which is written down”.


labaa

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


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)


airilegbe

/à.ì.ɾí.lé.ɡ͡bé/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + rí (“to find”) + ilé (“house”) + gbé (“to live”).


asunta

From a- (“agent prefix”) + sùn (“to sleep”) + ìta (“outside”), literally “one who sleeps outside”.

ọmọ asùnta


ẹọn

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ẹ̀wọ̀n (“chains”)

(Ekiti, by extension) Alternative form of ẹ̀wọ̀n (“imprisonment, prison”)

(Ekiti, by extension) Alternative form of ẹ̀wọ̀n (“frozen condition”)


ẹọn

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ẹ̀wọ̀n (“the tree flame thorn, flame acacia (Senegalia ataxacantha)”)


ẹọn

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ẹ̀wọ̀n (“the tree African greenheart (Piptadeniastrum africanum)”)


ọmuti

From ọ̀- (“agent prefix”) + mutí (“to drink alcohol”).

ọ̀mùtí paraku


tulẹtulẹ

From Reduplication of túlẹ̀ (“to scatter the ground”, literally “ground scatterer”).

reduplication

scavenger; one who searches through rubbish


igbala

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbàlà (“to save”), ultimately from gbà (“to rescue”) + là (“to survive”), literally “to rescue someone so that they survive”.


Iroko

an earth spirit (imọlẹ̀), believed to reside in the sacred iroko tree. He is regarded as the orisha of desires and decision making. He is known to be friendly with almost all the other orisha.


ekisa

Alternative form of àkísà (“rags, ragged”)


iṣapa

Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus sabdariffa#Translingual

the roselle plants Hibiscus sabdariffa and Hibiscus asper; both the leaves and flowers of these plants are widely used in soups and stews.


lafun

a type of àmàlà made from láfún flour, it is known for being unique to the Ẹ̀gbá Yoruba people


ipatẹwọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pàtẹ́wọ́ (“to clap”).


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”.

compound

Ẹ kúuṣẹ́, pàtẹ́wọ́ fún ara yín!


arun gaga

/à.ɾũ̀ ɡá.ɡá/

From àrùn (“disease”) + gágá (“being in a tumultuous or tormentous period”), literally “The tormentous disease”.

àrùn ayé gágá

Spanish flu pandemic, the World War I era


lafikun

From ní (“in”) + àfikún (“addition, supplement”).


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.


hewu

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


ẹru

From ẹ- (“agent prefix”) + rù (“to carry a load”).


ẹru

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *á-ɗú. Compare with Ifè arú, Ayere árú, Igbo oru


egbi

Cognate with Igala égbi, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *é-gbĩ

Ọnị régbi kọ́ mọ́ ta fọ̀ Ògbòó mọra jegbi

The one who sees the kob antelope must not shoot, for the goddess Ogboo resembles the kob antelope

(Ondo, Ekiti) Alternative form of egbin (“kob antelope”)


ọjẹ

Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́bádé

A Yoruba name meaning "Egungun worship has met royalty"

Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́dìràn

A Yoruba name meaning "Egungun worship has become generational"

Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́gbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning "Egungun worship favours me"

Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́lẹ́yẹ

A Yoruba name meaning "Egungun worship is honorable"

Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́wálé

A Yoruba name meaning "Egungun worship has returned home"

a senior practitioner or devotee of an orisha

a senior Egúngún worshipper and performer with a distinguished career

a prefix for Yoruba given names for those born in Egúngún worshipping families (e.g. Ọ̀jẹ̀ẹ́dìràn).


puruntu

(sometimes derogatory) illiterate person


اِپَتعَِووَْ

head

اِپَتعَِووَْ

yo-pos

اِپَتعَِووَْ

yo-noun

اِپَتعَِووَْ


ayanmọ

/à.jã̀.mɔ̃́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yàn (“to choose”) + mọ́ (“with, together”), literally “being chosen or selected together with another”.


gbajumọ

/ɡ͡bā.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃̀/

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


gbajumọ

/ɡ͡bā.d͡ʒú.mɔ̃̀/


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


orule

Possibly from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rù (“to carry one one's head”) + ilé (“house”), literally “The load of the house; that which the house carries on its head”, compare with òrùka


afọn

àfọ̀n á gbó kí ó tóó wọ̀ ― May the fruit of the àfọ̀n tree ripen before it falls off the branch (a prayer for a pregnant woman's safe delivery)


Kofoworọla

From Blend of kò (“not, negation marker”) + fi (“to use”) + owó (“money”) + rà (“to buy”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “They did not use money to buy honor”.

blend

a unisex given name meaning “They did not use money to buy honor”


ooka

From Contraction of òrùka, ultimately proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́lṵ̀-ìka.


ijẹta

/ì.d͡ʒɛ̄.tā/

/ì.d͡ʒɛ́.tā/

From ìjọ (“day”) + ẹ̀ta (“three”), literally “3 days from today” or ijọ́ + ẹ̀ta.
* Today is counted as one of the days, making it "three days ago" as opposed to the usual English translation of "two days ago"

compound

day before yesterday
day before yesterday


aṣalẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣí (“to open”) + ní (“in”) + alẹ́ (“evening”), literally “That which opens the evening”.


aṣalẹ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + ṣa (“to pick”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground; dirt”).

scavenger; someone who salvages items from waste


aṣalẹ

a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣá (“to be barren”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”)


Ajapada

Folk etymology derived from a local myth states it comes from àjà (“a traditional rattle device”) + pa (“to kill”) + ẹdá (“a type of brown rat”), literally “One who kills a rat with a rattle”. It is said to come from an endurance test Odùduwà presented his descendant Àjàpadà to perform before founding Àkúrẹ́

compound

(historical) a nickname for the legendary founder of the town of Àkúrẹ́ and descendant of Odùduwà, Aṣọdẹbóyèdé

(historical) title of the traditional ruler of the Àkúrẹ́ kingdom, replaced with title Déjì.


Ojo

orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá
orukọ amutọrunwa#Yoruba

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


gbalẹgbalẹ

head

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

yo-pos

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

yo-noun

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

gbálẹ̀gbálẹ̀

/ɡ͡bá.lɛ̀.ɡ͡bá.lɛ̀/

Reduplication of gbálẹ̀ (“to sweep the floor”, literally “floor sweeper”)


jokujoku

Reduplication of jòkú (“to eat the dead”), from jẹ (“to eat”) + òkú (“corpse; dead body”), literally “corpse eater”.

com

scavenger (an animal that feeds on decaying matter)


okete

(idiomatic, by extension) an untrustworthy or dishonest person


وْرُكوَْ امُتوَْرُنوَ

head

وْرُكوَْ امُتوَْرُنوَ

وْرُكوَْ امُتوَْرُنوَ (transliteration needed)

yo-pos

وْرُكوَْ امُتوَْرُنوَ

yo-noun

وْرُكوَْ امُتوَْرُنوَ

en-وْرُكوَْ_امُتوَْرُنوَ-yo-noun-e7QLe1Su


ireti

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + retí (“to expect”).


abiku

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to give birth to”) + kú (“to die”), literally “That which is given birth to and dies”. Cognate with Igala àbíkwú.

alábìíkú

a woman who repeatedly has children who die in infancy

In Yoruba tradition, a malevolent spirit that causes the premature death of a child, often successive children. It is often addressed through several rituals. (Compare with ogbanje).

the act of giving birth to a child who dies prematurely

child believed to be a reincarnation of a previously deceased àbíkú child


orukọ abiku

a class of unique Yoruba given names given to àbíkú children (children believed to be reincarnations of a previously deceased sibling). ikú (“death”) is a common prefix for these names (ex. Ikúdáyìsí).


ẹja onida

/ɛ̄.d͡ʒā ō.nĩ́.dà/

From ẹja (“fish”) + oní- (“one who has”) + idà (“sword”).

compound

a large fish; (specifically) the swordfish


ẹkọ arun-ara

/ɛ̀.kɔ́ à.ɾũ̀.ā.ɾā/

From ẹ̀kọ́ (“study, learning”) + àrùn (“disease”) + ara (“body”), literally “the study of the diseases of the body”.


jinki

/d͡ʒí.ŋ̀.kí/


ọjọọbi

/ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́ɔ̀.bí/

From Contraction of ọjọ́-ìbí (“birthday”).

Alternative form of ọjọ́-ìbí (“birthday”)


onimọ ijinlẹ

head

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

yo-pos

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

yo-noun

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀

/ō.nĩ́.mɔ̃̀ ì.d͡ʒĩ̀.lɛ̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀ (“science, profound knowledge”).

af

ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀


ijinlẹ

/ì.d͡ʒĩ̄.lɛ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jinlẹ̀ (“to have considerable depth”), ultimately from jìn (“to be deep”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, earth”).

compound

considerable depth (of a hole or burrow)


ijinlẹ

/ì.d͡ʒĩ̀.lɛ̀/

Ó mọ ìjìnlẹ̀ èdè Yoruba sọ

He knows how to speak a deep, knowledgeable form of the Yoruba language

(idiomatic) profound or deep knowledge or wisdom; complex


Ijaye

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + yè (“to survive”), literally “The act of fighting and surviving”.

af

(historical) an Ọ̀yọ́ military and trade town founded by a grandson of Aláàfin Abíọdún, Òrìṣàbíyìí. Most of its inhabitants were of the Ẹ̀gbá-Àgùrá subethnic group. It was destroyed by Ìbàdàn during the Ìjàyè war

(historical) the short-lived Ijaiye kingdom founded in the town of Ìjàyè, which fell at the end of the Ìjàyè war.

a district in modern-day city of Abẹ́òkúta; founded by refugees of the original town of Ìjàyè

(historical) the conflict between the kingdom of Ìjàyè and Ìbàdàn from 1861-1862; resulting in the destruction of Ìjàyè.


airoorunsun

/à.ì.ɾóō.ɾũ̄.sũ̀/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + rí (“to find”) + oorun (“sleep”) + sùn (“to sleep”).


bẹntiroo

/bɛ̄.ŋ̄.tī.ɾóò/

Borrowed from English petrol. Doublet of pẹtiróòlù.


gọdọgbodo

/ɡɔ̀.dɔ̀.ɡ͡bó.dò/


ila-oorun

/ì.là.ōò.ɾũ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to shine”) + oòrùn (“sun”), literally “the shining of the sun”.


iwọ-oorun

/ì.wɔ̀.ōò.ɾũ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ̀ (“to set or go down”) + oòrùn (“sun”), literally “the setting of the sun”.


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")


igọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gọ̀ (“to be stupid”).


igọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gọ (“to hide in waiting for”).


igọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gọ́ (“to be fed up, to be tired”).


ojuti

From ojú (“face”) + tì (“to have shame, to be humiliated”).


ọbayejẹ

ọ̀bayéjẹ́ (canonical)
ọ̀bàyéjẹ́ (canonical)

/ɔ̀.bā.jé.d͡ʒɛ́/

/ɔ̀.bà.jé.d͡ʒɛ́/

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bàyéjẹ́ (“to cause chaos, to destroy life”), ultimately from bàjẹ́ (“to spoil”) + ayé (“life, world”).


mọgaa

(rare, zootomy) antenna; (in particular) an insect's antenna.


lọbalọba

Mò ń lọ sí ìgbìmọ̀ lọ́balọ́ba

(in the plural) kings, the matter of several kings


yanju

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

(intransitive) to become resolved, to become sorted out


igbesẹ

/ì.ɡ͡bé.sɛ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbésẹ̀, ultimately from gbé (“nominalizing prefix”) + ẹsẹ̀ (“to lift”) + [Term?] (“foot”), literally “the act of lifting one's foot”.

(by extension) order of operation, process, step


mọgaji

/mɔ̃́.ɡà.d͡ʒí/

the male head of a clan or extended family, boss


igake

of a twisted motion (like when one is being tickled)


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”.

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


apọnle

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ́n (“to compliment, to honor”) + lé (“upon”).

af

(grammar, linguistics) modification, modifier


gbọn mi re

/ɡ͡bɔ̃̀ mĩ́ ɾè/

From gbọ̀nrè (“to leave alone, to abandon”) + mí (“me”).


kalolo

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

(transitive, intransitive) to stammer, to stutter


ọhaha

Alternative form of ọ̀fàfà (“Tree hyrax”)


kunlekunle

Reduplication of kun ilé (“to paint a house”, literally “house painter”).


ọfafa

Compare with Edo àkúghàghà and Urhobo àghwàghwà

Tree hyrax; (in particular) the Dendrohyrax interfluvialis


tẹnbẹlẹkun

head

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

yo-pos

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

yo-noun

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

tẹ̀ǹbẹ̀lẹ̀kun

/tɛ̀.ŋ̀.bɛ̀.lɛ̀.kũ̄/


ọdọ

mo jókòó ní ọ̀dọ̀ọ baba mi


ọdọ

yam; (in particular) Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata


mọgala

/mɔ̃́.ɡá.là/


adẹrupọkọ

/ā.dɛ́.ɾù.k͡pɔ̄.kɔ̀/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dá (“give”) + ẹrù (“load”) + pa (“to kill”) + ọkọ̀ (“vehicle”), literally “one who kills a vehicle with load”.


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


ma laagun jinna

/má làá.ɡũ̀ d͡ʒĩ̀.nã̀/

(idiomatic) don't sweat it (do not worry about it)


Akankẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kàn (“to touch”) + kẹ́ (“to care for”), literally “One we touch and care for”.

af

A female oríkì name, meaning "One we touch and care for".


ile kewu

From ilé (“building”) + kéwú (“Quranic recitation”).

com

(Islam) madrasah (a school that teaches Islamic theology)


onifẹẹ-ọkunrin-sọkunrin

/ō.nĩ́.ꜜfɛ́.ɔ̄.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄.sɔ́.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄/

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

af

(derogatory term for gay people)


abọde

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ̀ (“to come”) + dè (“to bind”).


abọde

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ̀ (“to come”) + dé (“to arrive”).

the act of returning from a location or trip


inifẹẹ-ọkunrin-sọkunrin

/ì.nĩ́.fɛ̀ɛ́.ɔ̄.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄.sɔ́.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + ìfẹ́ (“love”) + ọkùnrin (“man”) + sí (“to”) + ọkùnrin (“man”), literally “love between males”.


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


lemọmu

Borrowed from Hausa lī̀mâm or lī̀mân, ultimately from Arabic إِمَام (ʔimām). Doublet of ìmáàmù.


abẹya-kan-naa-lopọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bá (“with”) + ẹ̀yà (“gender, sex”) + kan (“one”) + náà (“of a particular or previously mentioned entity”) + lòpọ̀ (“to have sex with”), literally “one who has sex with someone of the same sex”.

af

(derogatory term for gay people)


ọpa

staff of authority; (used by monarchs or deities); scepter

a symbol of the orisha Òrìṣàoko; it is used as a totem for families who worship Òrìṣàoko and a prefix used in Yoruba names and surnames (ex. Ọ̀pábìyìí).

aṣọ ọlọ́pàá méje

(measurement) a unit of length equal to one yard


sẹloteepu

From English sellotape, a genericized trademark of the brand Sellotape.

genericized trademark
genericized trademark

(genericized trademark) adhesive tape; sellotape


ikọla

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ (“to write”) + ilà (“lines, marks”).


horo ẹjẹ pupa

/hó.ɾó ɛ̀.d͡ʒɛ̀ k͡pū.k͡pā/


ami faagun

/à.mĩ̀ fàá.ɡũ̀/

From àmì (“tone mark”) + fàágùn (“elongated”).
* fàágùn from fà (“to drag”) + á (“it”) + gùn (“to be long”), literally “stretch it out”

com

composite tone mark ( ~ ), which is no longer used in Yoruba orthography


fipamunijagun

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

compound

afipámúnijagun

one who conscripts people into the military


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


Ọyọtunji

/ɔ̀.jɔ́.tṹ.d͡ʒí/

From the phrase Ọ̀yọ́ tún jí (“Ọ̀yọ́ re awakens”).

Oyotunji (a Yoruba town in South Carolina, United States)


ọrọ-iṣe ẹlẹla

head

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

yo-pos

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

yo-noun

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ì.ʃē ɛ̄.lɛ́.là/

From ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe (“verb”) + oní- (“one who has”) + ẹ̀là (“that which is split”).

compound

bà jẹ́ (“to hurt, to damage”) → ba ọkàn jẹ́ (“to damage the heart”)

(grammar) A splitting verb; bisyllabic verbs that obligatorily split around a direct object or pronouns.


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


omira

From omi (“water, liquid”) + ara (“body”).


igboya

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbó (“to be mature, to be emboldened”) + àyà (“chest”).


miiran

Clipping of òmíràn or ìmíràn. Cognates include Ede Idaca mírìn.

Oògùn yìí lágbára ju oògùn mìíràn lọ.

This medicine is stronger than other medicines.


Nana Burukuu

head

Nàná Bùrùkúù

Nàná Bùrùkúù

yo-pos

Nàná Bùrùkúù

Nàná Bùrùkúù

yo-prop

Nàná Bùrùkúù

Nàná Bùrùkúù

From nàná (“mother”) + bùrùkúù (“cruel, bad, ruthless”), ultimately from Fon nɔ̀ (“mother”) and burúkú (“cruelty, badness”). Nàná is a term meaning mother found in many Gbe languages, compare with Gun nɔ̀ and Ewe nɔ̀. Folk etymology states that bùrùkúù is said to be a form of the Yoruba term burúkú.

compound

A supreme female (sometimes regarded as androgynous) primordial divinity in the Yoruba religion and other African religions; her worship is believed to be predate that of the Odùduwà era of Ifẹ̀. Among the Yoruba, she was mainly worshipped by the Idàáṣà Yoruba subethnic group; where she was the national deity.


ogurọ

cog

Igbo ọ̀gọ̀lọ̀

any raffia palm tree, including the Raphia vinifera, Raphia farinifera, Raphia hookeri, and Raphia sudanica.

a specific type of palm wine (ẹmu) made from the raffia palm


ogurọ

a tree of species Distemonanthus benthamianus


ogurọ

(Ekiti) (Ayédùn-Èkìtì) a plant of species Ficus vallis-choudae


paṣipaarọ

/k͡pà.ʃí.k͡pàà.ɾɔ̀/

From pa (“to do”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣí (“to move”) + pa (“to do”) + ààrọ̀ (“replacement, alternative”)

compound

(literally) exchange of one thing with another

exchange of one thing with another
metathesis

exchange of one thing with another
barter, exchange


ibukun

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bù (“to scoop out”) + kún (“to fill”).

af

(literally) to act of drawing out of some substance and adding it onto another


ọgụrọ

/ɔ̀.ɡʊ̀.ɾɔ̀/

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ògùrọ̀ (“(in general) raffia palm tree”)

(Ekiti) Alternative form of ògùrọ̀ (“palm wine made from raffia palm”)


ikata

Mẹ ẹ̀ fẹ́ kúró ni ikàtà èyé mi

I do not want to leave the immediate vicinity of my mother


igbekun

/ì.ɡ͡bè.kũ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbè (“to be in an unsatisfactory state”) + okùn (“ropes”), literally “the unsatisfactory state of being bounded”.

Ọ̀sanyìn ń fomi-ojú ṣe ògbérè ìgbèkùn

(Can we date this quote?), Odù Ifá chapter #9 - Ògúndá Méjì:

Osanyin is using his tears as a dirge for his captivity


Eji Ogbe

/è.d͡ʒì ō.ɡ͡bè/

From Èjì (“two”) + Ogbè (“Ogbe”), in reference to the two groups of Ogbe signs that make up the Èjì Ogbè signature.

The principal sign of the Ifa divination system.

The first and most important chapter of the Odù Ifá, it is the first of sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà), and the first of the ojú odù


bi agbada o ba gbona, agbado o le ta

bí agbada ò bá gbóná (canonical)
àgbàdo ò lè ta (canonical)

(figurative) you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

(literal) if the pan's not hot, the corn won't pop


ka rin ka pọ, yiyẹ ni n yẹni

ká rìn ká pọ̀ (canonical)
yíyẹ ní ń yẹni (canonical)

(figurative) people are best in association with others, and not as loners

ká rìn ká pọ̀, yíyẹ ní ń yẹni, bí tọ̀nà ọ̀run kọ́

(literal) traveling in the company of others shows people in a good light


ọna kan o wọja

head

ọ̀nà kan ò wọjà

ọ̀nà kan ò wọjà

yo-pos

ọ̀nà kan ò wọjà

ọ̀nà kan ò wọjà

there's more than one way to skin a cat
there's more than one way to skin a cat

all roads lead to Rome
all roads lead to Rome

(figurative) there's more than one way to skin a cat; all roads lead to Rome (there are many different ways to approach a problem)

(literal) it is not one road only that leads to the market


agbanilagbatan

/ā.ɡ͡bā.nĩ̄.lá.ɡ͡bà.tã́/

a- (“agent prefix”) + gbà (“to deliver”) + ẹni (“person”) + ní (“adverbial preposition”) + àgbàtán (“complete deliverance”), literally “one who delivers people completely”.

af

(Christianity) total deliverer (an epithet of God)


aisi-nle ẹkun, aja n gbo

head

àìsí-ńlé ẹkùn, ajá ń gbó

àìsí-ńlé ẹkùn, ajá ń gbó

yo-pos

àìsí-ńlé ẹkùn, ajá ń gbó

àìsí-ńlé ẹkùn, ajá ń gbó

àìsí-ńlé ẹkùn (canonical)
ajá ń gbó (canonical)

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

(figurative) when the cat's away the mice will play

(literal) [in] the leopard's absence from home, the dog barks


Ogbegunda

/ō.ɡ͡bè.ɡṹ.dá/

The twenty-fourth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-fourth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


aja ki i roro ko ṣọ ojule meji

head

ajá kì í rorò kó ṣọ́ ojúlé méjì

ajá kì í rorò kó ṣọ́ ojúlé méjì

yo-pos

ajá kì í rorò kó ṣọ́ ojúlé méjì

ajá kì í rorò kó ṣọ́ ojúlé méjì

ajá kì í rorò kó ṣọ́ ojúlé méjì (canonical)

(figurative) no one can serve two masters

(literal) a dog is never so fierce that it can guard two doorways


Ogbesa

The twenty-fifth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-fifth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbeturupọn

/ō.ɡ͡bè.tú.ɾú.k͡pɔ̃̀/

The twenty-seventh sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-seventh chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbekanran

/ō.ɡ͡bè.kã̀.ɾã̀/

The twenty-third sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-third chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbeka

The twenty-sixth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-sixth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbesẹ

/ō.ɡ͡bè.sɛ́/

The thirtieth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The thirtieth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbetura

/ō.ɡ͡bè.tú.ɾá/

The twenty-eighth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-eighth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbefun

The thirty-first sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The thirty-first chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is the last chapter of the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogberẹtẹ

Ogbèrẹtẹ̀ (canonical)
Ogbèrẹ̀tẹ̀ (canonical)

/ō.ɡ͡bè.ɾɛ̄.tɛ̀/

/ō.ɡ͡bè.ɾɛ̀.tɛ̀/

The twenty-ninth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-ninth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


koriko

grass; (in particular) the wild grass species Guinea grass and Setaria longiseta


ahaya ibọn

compound

àhàyá + ìbọn


ṣigidi

ṣìgìdì (canonical)
ṣigidi (canonical)
ṣígídí (canonical)

(of an object) being solid, roundish, hard, and lightweight


ṣigidi

a human shaped stationary and odious figurine, used as a ritual offensive weapon and a guardian of the home. It is believed that through the spirit that inhabits the figurine, Ṣìgìdì, the figurine is able to be remotely activated, where it can inflict disease or death on its targets

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) a physical representation of the orisha Ṣìgìdì

(by extension, modern usage, idiomatic) robot, drone (anything that is remote-controlled)


idọbalẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dọ̀bálẹ̀ (“to prostrate”), ultimately from dọ̀ (“to prostrate”) + bá (“towards”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”).


kuujokoo

/kúù.d͡ʒó.kòó/


kuurọju

/kúù.ɾɔ́.d͡ʒú/

ẹ kúùrọ́jú o!

I greet you for bearing the pain or loss!

a greeting to someone urging perseverance in a time of bereavement or unfortunate circumstances


kuudaro

ẹ kúùdárò ẹni t'ó kú!

You are greeted for sharing in the sorrow of the person that has passed

a greeting for someone who is sharing in one's sorrow or bereavement


kaabọ

→ Fon: kwabɔ

→ Krio: kabɔ


kuukalẹ

a greeting for someone sitting comfortably or relaxing


kuukunra

a greeting for one who is carrying a pregnancy


abajọ

Krio: abajɔ

/ā.bá.d͡ʒɔ̄/


yigi

(Islam) nikah (a wedding conducted using Islamic rites)


kuuyalẹta

good midmorning (used between midmorning and noon)


Adegbemibu

From Blend of adé (“royalty, crown”) + è (“negation prefix”) + gbébú (“to insult”) + mi (“me”), literally “The crown did not insult me”
* gbébú is a splitting verb (ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là) that is split by the pronoun 'mi'

blend

(Ekiti) a unisex given name meaning “The crown did not insult me”


Ibidun

From Blend of ìbí (“birth”) + dùn (“to be sweet”).

a female given name meaning “Birth is sweet”, often a shortening of several longer names (ex. Ìbídùnmóyè)


Ifatumikẹ

Likely from Blend of Ifá (“Ifa”) + tú (“to release”) + mi (“me”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “Ifa released me to be cared for”

(Ekiti) a female given name meaning “Ifa released me to be cared for”


Ọmọlịịjẹ

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lɪ̄ɪ́.d͡ʒɛ́/

From Blend of ọmọ (“child”) + lị (“to be”) + ị́ (“third person pronoun”) + jẹ́ (“to be”), literally “She is truly a child”.

(Ekiti) a female given name meaning “She is truly a good child”


Ọmọlẹyẹ

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.lɛ̀.jɛ̄/

From Blend of ọmọ (“child”) + ni (“to be”) + ẹ̀yẹ (“honor, dignity”), literally “The child is honor; Children are honor”.

a unisex given name meaning “The child is honor; Children are honor”


Akinlẹyẹ

From Blend of akin (“bravery, valor”) + ni (“to be”) + ẹ̀yẹ (“honor, dignity”).

a male given name meaning “Bravery is honorable”

a surname, from the given name Akinlẹ̀yẹ


Akinlẹyẹ

/ā.kĩ́.lɛ́.ꜜjɛ̄/

From Blend of akin (“bravery, valor”) + ní (“to have”) + ẹ̀yẹ (“honor, dignity”).

a male given name meaning “Bravery has dignity”

a surname, from the given name Akínlẹ́yẹ


Ọọṣawẹ

/ɔ̀ɔ̀.ʃá.wɛ̀/

From Blend of ọ̀ọ̀ṣà (“orisha”) + wẹ̀ (“to bathe, to wash”), possibly from a Clipping of Ọ̀ọ̀ṣáwẹ̀mímọ́.

clipping

Ọ̀ọ̀ṣáwẹ̀mímọ́

(Ekiti) a female given name meaning “The orisha washed (her)”


oolẹ

(rare, archaic) a specific type of oríkì poetry consisting of long epithets praising one's lineage and ancestry


ẹburumbu

/ɛ̀.bù.ɾú.ŋ̀.bú/

A competent ẹlẹ́sà (ẹ̀sà poet) can confuse and defeat an opponent by starting from an ambivalent point, causing the opponent to chant the wrong oríkì orílẹ̀ in response.

a traditional Yoruba artistic method used in oral poetry competitions in which poets approach a type of poem (oríkì, ẹ̀sà, ìjálá) from an uncommon angle (perhaps idiomatic or proverbial) and challenges a fellow poet to continue the poem from that unique angle in an attempt to confuse them.


Oṣomaalo

→ English: Osomaalo

From òṣómàáló (“an Ìjẹ̀ṣà practice in which the loan giver sets up a tent in the vicinity of the debtor's abode”), itself from òṣó (“a squat”) + màá (“I will”) + ló (“squat”), literally “I will stay squatting [until I am paid]”.

com

(sometimes derogatory) an Ìjẹ̀ṣà person (in particular) a trader


eto saye dọkan

From ètò (“system; process”) + sọ (“to make”) + ayé (“the world”) + di (“become”) + ọ̀kan (“one”), literally “the process that draws the world closer”.

Fífi èrò wérò ṣe pàtàkì gan-an nínú ètò sayé dọ̀kan, Íńtánẹ́ẹ̀tì ló sì fi èyí hàn jù.

2002, “Ṣé Ètò Sayé Dọ̀kan Lè Yanjú Àwọn Ìṣòro Wa Lóòótọ́?”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

The interchange of ideas is an important feature of globalization, and nothing symbolizes this phenomenon more than the Internet.


isọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sọ̀ (“to put down a carried item”).

af

(literally) the act of putting down a load (that was previously carried)


isọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sọ̀ (“to grumble”).


isọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sọ (“to sprout, to swell up”).


okunkun

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kùnkùn (“partial reduplication of kùn to become dark”).


gbọ

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

cog

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - gbọ́view map

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

now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria

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

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

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

A sọ̀rọ̀, a dẹ̀ ti jẹrun nẹ́ẹ̀


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


ijọba alagbada

/ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā ā.lá.ɡ͡bá.dá/

From ìjọba + alágbádá, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jọba (“to rule”) + oní- (“one who has”) + agbádá (“agbada”), literally “The government of the one who wears the agbada”
* This refers to the fact that many leaders of democratic government's in Africa wear the African attire the agbada, as opposed to the military uniform of military dictators.


ere idaraya

From eré + ìdárayá, ultimately from eré (“play, games, activity”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dá (“to make”) + ara (“body”) + yá (“to be healthy”), literally “Activity that makes the body healthy”.


awusa

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *V-ɣʊ̀sá, *a-ɣʊ̀sá, *ɛ-ɣʊ̀sá, probably of Proto-Edekiri origin. Maybe equivalent to a- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wù (“to uproot; to grow”) + sá (“to dry”), perhaps referring to the drying of the nuts. Also compare with the synonym àsálà, where "sá" is also seen.

af

the nut of the Plukenetia conophora plant, known as the Nigerian walnut


ogbo atọ asure Iworiwofun

/ō.ɡ͡bó ā.tɔ́ à.sú.ɾē ì.wò.ɾì.wò.fṹ/

From o + gbó + atọ́ + àsúre + Ìwòrìwòfún, ultimately from o- (“agent prefix”) + gbó (“to be old”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + tọ́ (“to live a long life”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + súre (“to shower blessings”) + Ìwòrìwòfún (“the spirit of the 61st chapter of the Odù Ifá”), literally “May you live to be old, may you live a long and healthy life, receive the blessings of Iworiwofun”.

àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ
abọru abọye abọṣiṣẹ#Yoruba

a greeting used by practitioners of Ifá divination, usually as a response to the greeting "àbọrú àbọyè àbọṣíṣẹ."


ilomi afẹfẹ

head

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

yo-pos

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

yo-noun

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

ìlómi afẹ́fẹ́

From ìlómi + afẹ́fẹ́, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + omi (“water”) + afẹ́fẹ́ (“air”), literally “Having water in air”.


afẹfẹ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + fẹ́ (“to blow”) + fẹ́ (“to blow”), literally “That which blows”.


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


eriwo yaa

/ē.ɾí.wō jàà/

From eríwo (“religious group, cult”) + yàà.

hear ye, an expression used to call for attention to an important message; primarily used by Ìṣẹ̀ṣe practitioners

(historical) a slogan used by members of the Ògbóni fraternal society


Amawomaro

From a- (“agent prefix”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + awo (“secrets”) + má (“does not”) + rò (“to talk, to gossip”), literally “the one who knows the secrets of the occult and does not utter them”.

an oríkì name or nickname for the orisha Ọ̀ṣun


werepe

Mucuna pruriens
Mucuna pruriens#Translingual

a name for several plants of the genus Mucuna that cause severe itching and rashes upon contact, but usually refers to the plants Mucuna pruriens and Mucuna sloanei.


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


ẹranko ayasẹ

/ɛ̄.ɾã̄.kō ā.jā.sɛ̀/

From ẹranko (“animal”) + ayasẹ̀ (“one who with the torn foot”).


ejo-inu

From ejò (“snake”) + inú (“insides, abdomen”).

aṣẹnuṣúnmúnújayé lorúkọ à á pe ìwọ ejò-inú
The one-that-with-a-roundish-short-slightly-protruding-and-very-lightweight mouth enjoys life is the name we call you tapeworm (oríkì name for the tapeworm)


kara o le

/ká.ɾā ó lē/

From kí (“may, let”) + ara (“body, oneself”) + ó (“it”) + le (“to be in good health”).


peregun

/k͡pè.ɾè.ɡṹ/

ọdọọdún ni pèrègún ń yè

the plants Dracaena mannii, Dracaena fragrans, and Dracaena arborea, known primarily for their spiritual and healing properties.

Pèrègún

orisha said to represent of the peregun plant


a o ki n dupẹ ara ẹni

head

a ò kí ń dúpẹ́ ará ẹni

a ò kí ń dúpẹ́ ará ẹni

yo-pos

a ò kí ń dúpẹ́ ará ẹni

a ò kí ń dúpẹ́ ará ẹni

/ā ò kí ŋ́ dú.k͡pɛ́ ā.ɾá ɛ̄.nĩ̄/

From a (“one”) + ò (“negation prefix”) + kí (“to do”) + ń (“progressive marker”) + dúpẹ́ (“to thank”) + ârâ (“body”) + ẹni (“one's body or self”), literally “One does not have to thank one's self for doing what is right, appropriate, just, compassionate to himself, close family, friends, relatives or community”.

compound

(idiomatic) you're welcome, don't mention it


Ẹsin Adimula

head

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

yo-pos

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

yo-prop

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

Ẹ̀sìn Àdìmúlà

From ẹ̀sìn (“religion”) + àdìmúlà (“that which we hold on to and survive”), literally “The religion that one holds onto for salvation”.


ọbịnrịn

/ɔ̄.bɪ̃̀.ɾɪ̃̄/

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-bɪ̃̀rɪ̃, Olukumi obìnrẹn, Ifè ɔnɔbɛ̃̀ɛ̃, Igala ónobùlẹ

cog

Ifè ɔnɔbɛ̃̀ɛ̃

Mainly used among those of the Akure subdialect


adinumasọrọ

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dì (“to close, to block”) + ẹnu (“mouth”) + máà (“do not”) + sọ̀rọ̀ (“to talk”), literally “one who shuts their mouth and does not talk”.

af

(literally) one who stays quiet and doesn't talk

(idiomatic) the plant Clerodendrum japonicum


eepa

egbò ta èépá

crumb, crust; (in particular) hardened crumb of overcooked or burned food


eepa

a loud utterance or exclamation mainly used by Ògbóni priests during a rite; especially of those pertaining to the orisha Orò


diacritical mark
diacritical mark#English

àmì ohùn ẹlẹ́yọ̀ọ́rodò
ami ohun ẹlẹyọọrodo#Yoruba

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


Okudu

June, the first month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Agẹmọ

Egba Yoruba: Ajẹmọ

/ā.ɡɛ̄.mɔ̃̄/

From agẹmọ (“chameleon”), folk etymology states it ultimately comes from a- (“agent prefix”) + gẹ̀ (“to care for, to cherish”) + ọmọ (“children”), literally “One who cares for children”.

a primordial orisha primarily worshipped as an ancestral spirit by the Ìjẹ̀bú people. They are believed to be an orisha of fertility, childbirth, and protector of children. It is closely associated with Egúngún, Gẹ̀lẹ̀dẹ́, and Èlùkú.

(by extension) an annual Ìjẹ̀bú festival held in honor of the orisha Agẹmọ

(by extension) July, the second month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá; the Agẹmọ festival is held during this month


Owewe

September, the third month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Belu

November, the sixth month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Ọwara

October, the fifth month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Ọpẹ

From ọ̀pẹ̀ (“palm tree”) or ọ̀pẹ (“palm tree”). Both ọ̀pẹ and ọ̀pẹ̀ are synonymous terms for the palm tree.

December, the seventh month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Ṣẹrẹ

January, the eighth month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Igbe

Folk etymology states it comes from igbe (“shout, yell”), signifying it as a month of shouting in celebration and jubilation

April, the eleventh month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Erele

Folk etymology states it comes from èrè (“advantage, profit, reward, gain”) + lé (“to add on”), literally “Rewards continuing to be added on”

compound

February, the ninth month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Ẹrẹna

Ẹ̀rẹ̀nà (canonical)
Ẹrẹ́nà (canonical)
Ẹrẹ̀nà (canonical)

/ɛ̀.ɾɛ̀.nã̀/

/ɛ̄.ɾɛ́.nã̀/

/ɛ̄.ɾɛ̀.nã̀/

March, the tenth month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Rẹmọ

A subgroup of Yoruba people, comprising of 33 towns who speak the Rẹ́mọ dialect of Yoruba, they are closely related to the Ijebu people.


Ẹbibi

(Ijebu) a traditional festival celebrated by the Ìjẹ̀bú people of Ẹ̀pẹ́

(by extension) May, the twelfth and final month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá, during which the Ẹ̀bìbì festival is usually celebrated in.


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”.

Wọ́n ń gbaradì fún ogun


abẹrẹ

Some sources suggest it may come from Arabic إِبْرَة (ʔibra), however the Hausa word from this Arabic root does not resemble the Yoruba form. Thus, either Yoruba inherited directly from Arabic as it did not inherit it through Hausa, which is generally the way Arabic words enter the Yoruba vocabulary.


ọjẹlu

/ɔ̀.d͡ʒɛ̀.lú/

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat; to consume”) + ìlú (“city; nation”), literally “one who consumes the nation” modelled on òṣèlú.

af

(derogatory) corrupt politician; polithiefcian


abẹla

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bẹ́ (“to cut”) + là (“to glow”), literally “That which we cut to glow”.


عِ

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


عَِ

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


وْ

The sixteenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script o.


وَْ

The seventeenth letter of the Yoruba alphabet in the ajami script, equivalent to Latin script ọ.


kọnfu

Borrowed from English kung fu, from Chinese 功夫 (gōngfu).


ipọnju

/ì.k͡pɔ̃́.d͡ʒú/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pọ́n (“to darken, to become red”) + ojú (“eyes”).

(literally) the darkening or reddening of the eyes, usually as a sign of anger

(idiomatic) distress, predicament, desperation, affliction


ariwo

From a- (“agent prefix”) + riwo (“of much loud contrastive noise among a crowd (ideophone)”), proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *a-riwo


ariwo

Possibly from a- (“agent prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + wó (“to crush”), literally “One we see and crush”

the plant Monodora myristica, known as the African nutmeg or calabash nutmeg

the fruit and seed of the calabash nutmeg; used as a spice


ipenpeju

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pé (“to be complete”) + ni (“to be”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pé (“to be complete”) + ojú (“eyes”).


agbawo

/ā.ɡ͡bá.ꜜwō/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + gbé (“to carry”) + àwo (“dish”), literally “dish carrier”.


ọmọ ọdọ

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄ ɔ̀.dɔ̀/

From ọmọ (“child”) + ọ̀dọ̀ (“presence”).


ṣenji

/ʃé.ŋ́.d͡ʒì/

change (balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase)


akọbi

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ́ (“first”) + bí (“to birth”).


abigbẹyin

/à.bí.ɡ͡bɛ̀.jĩ̀/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to birth”) + gbẹ̀yìn (“last”).


aladuugbo

From oní- (“one who has”) + àdúgbò (“neighbourhood”).


iyekan

From iye (“mother”) + ọ̀kan (“one”), literally “one mother”.

compound

maternal half sibling (sibling of the same mother but a different father)


ọbakan

From ọba (“father”) + ọ̀kan (“one”), literally “one father”.

paternal half sibling (sibling of the same father but a different mother)


akọigba

/à.kɔ́.ì.ɡ͡bà/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kọ́ (“to teach”) + àì- (“negating prefix”) + gbà (“to accept”).

af

(sometimes offensive) Someone who was taught manners but refused to heed instructions; a mannerless untrainable person.


abiikọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to birth”) + àì- (“negating prefix”) + kọ́ (“to teach”).

(sometimes offensive) Someone who was never taught manners; a mannerless untrained person.


bulọọgu

/bú.lɔ́ɔ̀.ɡù/


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


akọbulọọgu

head

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

yo-pos

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

yo-noun

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

akọbúlọ́ọ̀gù

/ā.kɔ̄.bú.lɔ́ɔ̀.ɡù/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kọ (“to write”) + búlọ́ọ̀gù (“blog”).


reluwee

N kì í wọ rélùwéè ní òpin ọ̀sẹ̀.


ọkọ ofuurufu

/ɔ̄.kɔ̀ ò.fūū.ɾū.fú/

From ọkọ̀ (“vehicle”) + òfuurufú (“sky”).


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.


a dupẹ

From a (“we”) + dúpẹ́ (“to give thanks”), literally “we give thanks”.

compound

I'm fine, thank you (in response to báwo ni?)


balẹ

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

com

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


Ewelere

From ewé (“herbs”) + ní (“to have”) + èrè (“profit, reward”), literally “The use of herbs has rewards”.

compound

An oríkì name for the orisha Ṣàngó, praising his knowledge of medicinal herbs


ọba opojẹ

/ɔ̄.bā ò.k͡pó.d͡ʒɛ̀/

From ọba (“king”) + òpójẹ̀ (“artery, blood vessel”), literally “the most important artery”.

(idiomatic, anatomy, cardiology) coronary artery


bẹrẹ

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


bẹrẹ

(of an entity) bending in the form of a slope or unevenly


bẹrẹ

Possibly related to bẹ́ẹ́rẹ̀ (“firstborn son”)

an elderly male relative; (in particular) a revered or adored male elder


Origun

From orígun (“angle or corner of the universe”).

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) a high-ranking primordial spirit (imọlẹ̀) of creation in the Yoruba religion mentioned in the Odù Ọ̀sá Ògúndá. It is believed Orígun coordinates gases and dew and creates the stars.


akoba

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“to pack”) + bá (“to meet”).


ẹtọ ọmọniyan

head

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

yo-pos

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

yo-noun

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

ẹ̀tọ́ ọmọnìyàn

/ɛ̀.tɔ́ ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.nĩ̀.jã̀/

From ẹ̀tọ́ (“right”) + ọmọnìyàn (“human; humanity”).


agbara ya ṣọọbu

head

àgbàrá ya ṣọ́ọ̀bù

àgbàrá ya ṣọ́ọ̀bù

yo-pos

àgbàrá ya ṣọ́ọ̀bù

àgbàrá ya ṣọ́ọ̀bù

Modelled on omíyalé (“flood”, literally “water visits the home”)


arọọrọda

/à.ɾɔ̀ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.dá/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rọ̀ (“to rain”) + àì- (“negating prefix”) + rọ̀ (“to rain”) + dá (“to stop (rain)”).

af

òjò àrọ̀ọ̀rọ̀dá


aibikita

From àì- (“negative nominalizing prefix”) + bìkítà (“to care about”).

Ìwà àìbìkítà ènìyàn lè fa ìjàǹbá iná lórí oko

Human carelessness can cause fires on farms

carelessness; negligence; indifference; neglect


idagbasoke

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dàgbà sókè (“to grow; to develop”), ultimately from di (“to become”) + àgbà (“old, elder”) + sí (“towards”) + òkè (“top”)

compound

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìdàgbàsókèview map


gbọnre

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

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


Olu-Iwaye

From olú (“lord, prominent one”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wá (“to arrive, to come”) + ayé (“life”), literally “The Lord of the coming of life”.

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) a high-ranking primordial spirit (imọlẹ̀) of creation mentioned in the Odù Ọ̀sá Ògúndá, believed to be the one who cools the stars and stabilizes the heavenly bodies.


aawẹ

From Contraction of àrìwẹ̀, ultimately from àrì- (“without”) + wẹ̀ (“to shower, to bathe”).


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)


arobo

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


ṣago

a large glass bottle; (in particular) a demijohn

Alternative form of ságo (“glass or plastic bottle”)


ẹrẹwọn

/ɛ̄.ɾɛ̄.wɔ̃̄/


arọmọdọmọ

/à.ɾɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.dɔ́.mɔ̃̄/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + ọmọ (“child”) + dé (“to reach, to”) + ọmọ (“child”).

the act of seeing one's children and descendants

the seeing of one's children and descendants

(in the plural) descendants, generations


sẹlẹru

/sɛ́.lɛ̀.ɾú/

Alternative form of ṣẹ́lẹ̀rú (“creek; brook”)


ṣẹlẹru

/ʃɛ́.lɛ̀.ɾú/

From Clipping of ìṣẹ́lẹ̀rú, ultimately from ṣẹ́ (“to gush or burst forth suddenly”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”) + rú (“to sprout”).

compound

Ṣẹ́lẹ̀rú àgbo, àgbàrá àgbo l'Ọ́ṣun fi ń wẹmọ rẹ̀ kí dókítà ó tó dé
Spring of herbal medicine, flowing waters of herbal medicine, this is what Ọ̀ṣun used to bath her children before western medicine came


efun

From e- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fun (“to be white; light”)

af

(Ekiti, Ifẹ) Alternative form of ẹfun (“chalk”)


Ilara

From ì- (“nominalizing prefixi”) + ní (“to have”) + ará (“relative, family”), literally “The ones who possess many relatives”
* Several folk stories attempt to link the several Ilara-named towns to each other, besides their common origin of Ifẹ̀ as Yoruba towns

the name for several Yoruba towns. Unique suffixes are commonly attached to the town's name as a means of differentiating them (ex. Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín)

Ilara-Mokin (an Ekiti Yoruba town in Ondo, Nigeria)

Ìlárá-Rẹ́mọ (a Rẹ́mọ Yoruba town in Ogun, Nigeria)

Ìlárá-Yéwa (a Yéwa Yoruba town in Ogun, Nigeria)

Ìlárá-Ẹ̀pẹ́ (a Rẹ́mọ Yoruba town in Lagos, Nigeria)


ẹgunjẹ

/ɛ̀.ɡṹ.d͡ʒɛ̄/

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gún (“to grind”) + jẹ (“to eat”), literally “that which is ground/pounded to eat”. Modelled on earlier àgúnmu (“a traditional powder medicine”, literally “that which is ground and drank”).

(neologism, law) bribery, kickback, settlement


Dahọmi

From Fon dã homè (“belly of Dã; snake's belly”).

bor

the Fon people, also known as the Dahomey

(historical) the Republic of Dahomey; now known as Benin


Ọṣẹẹrẹmagbo

head

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

yo-pos

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

yo-prop

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

Ọ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò

/ɔ̀.ʃɛ̀ɛ̀.ɾɛ̀.mà.ɡ͡bò/

Associated with the semi-historical relationship between Ọbàtálá and the Ùgbò people of ancient Ufẹ̀

an oríkì name or praise name for the orisha Ọbàtálá


Ija

Possibly from ìjà (“fight, conflict”), but the tone shift from low to mid is unclear, and may suggest origin from a root ja. Also possibly related to ìja (“whirlwind”).
Among the Ekiti people, the deity is known as Ụ̀ja or Ị̀ja, and is largely recognized as a brother and close hunting associated of Ogun, while other traditions regard the deity as a female counterpart and the wife of Ògún, representing the male-female dualities of energies in the form of deities. For other examples, see Ṣàngó, Òrìṣàoko and Ọya; Ọbàtálá with Yemòwó, Ọ̀rúnmìlà and Ọ̀ṣun, ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀/ikin divination with ẹ̀rìndínlógún.
The association of a female deity associated hunting is quite peculiar as hunting and war were primarily seen as strictly male professions, but also the duality of male and feminine aspects of hunting can also been seen in deities like Lógunẹ̀dẹ.

Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì Ọṣọọsi#Yoruba

a primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) and orisha of war, hunting, and fighting. He is closely associated with Ògún and is regarded as his brother along with Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì.

the wife of Ògún, the feminine aspect of hunting


ṣaki

Ṣàkì ń ṣe bí ọ̀rá, egungun ń ṣe bí ẹran

The tripe presents itself as fat; the bone presents itself as meat


pọnmọ

→ Igbo: kpọmọ

→ English: ponmo

→ Nigerian Pidgin: ponmo, kpomo

/k͡pɔ̃̀.mɔ̃́/


pọnmọ

/k͡pɔ̃̄.mɔ̃̄/


afeimojo

Possibly from àfè (“striped grass mouse”) + ì (“negation marker”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + òjò (“rain”), literally “The rat-like creature that does not know rain”, in reference to the fact that the aardvark is known to burrow and lives nocturnally (and therefore rarely encounters rain), associating it with the mouse àfè because of their similar characteristics.

compound

ẹmọ́ kú, ojú òpó dá; àfèìmòjò kú, ẹnu isà ń ṣọ̀fọ̀

The mouse dies, the surface of the pole becomes vacant, the aardvark dies, and the burrow goes into mourning (proverb on tragedy)

Striped grass mouse, known for its very long tail (in proportion to the rest of its body)


juba ehoro

/d͡ʒú.bà ē.hō.ɾō/

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


ẹdun arinlẹ

/ɛ̄.dũ̄ ā.ɾĩ̄.lɛ̀/

From ẹdun (“colobus monkey”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + rìn (“to walk”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground”), literally “The colobus monkey that treads on the ground”.

ìṣẹ́ kì í ṣẹ́ igún kó di ojúgbà adìẹ

poverty does not afflict the colobus monkey to the extent that it becomes a land dwelling creature; the vulture is never so badly off that it becomes the equal of a chicken

(idiomatic, derogatory) a bankrupt person; (specifically) a rich person who has lost all of their fortune


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


gbana jẹ

/ɡ͡bā.nã́ d͡ʒɛ̄/

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

com

(idiomatic) to get heated up; to be furious


ga bi ọpẹ

/ɡā bí ɔ̀.k͡pɛ̄/


pọ bi iyanrin

/k͡pɔ̀ bí ī.jã̄.ɾĩ̀/


aifo

Possibly a contraction of arífó, afífó, compare with Olukumi ẹ́fífó. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *a-fífó

aífó ń mu mi


oluku

→ English: Olukumi

→ Spanish: lucumí

> Lucumí: lucumí (inherited)

Cognate with Igala ónúkwu, Itsekiri olùkùn, and Olukumi olùkù, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-lùkù


ọparun

/ɔ̄.k͡pā.ɾũ̄/


unagho

ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + nághó (“to spend money”)

af

(Ọwọ) Alternative form of ìnáwó (“spending”)


ọrọ ẹyin

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀ ɛ̀.jĩ̀/


gbeborun

/ɡ͡bé.bō.ɾũ̀/

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

com

(neologism, idiomatic) to gossip; to gist


gbeborun

/ɡ͡bé.bō.ɾũ̀/

(neologism, idiomatic, sometimes offensive) a gossip; busybody; interloper


Ọṣara

a legendary wife of Oduduwa or Ọ̀ràm̀fẹ̀, she was deified as a river orisha of the town of Ifẹ̀

a river and fertility deity believed to be the wife of the fire deity Ọ̀ràm̀fẹ̀

(by extension) a festival held in the town of Ifẹ̀ in the honor of the orisha Ọ̀ṣàrà


sọgbodile sọgbẹdigboro

/sɔ̄.ɡ͡bó.dī.lé sɔ̀.ɡ͡bɛ́.dì.ɡ͡bō.ɾō/

From the phrase "sọgbó dilé sọ̀gbẹ́ dìgboro, ọba asààtàn dọjà", an oríkì for a successful ọba that maintains and expands a settlement, ultimately from sọ (“to make”) + igbó (“forest”) + di (“to become”) + ilé (“house”) + sọ (“to make”) + ìgbẹ́ (“bush”) + di (“to become”) + ìgboro (“urban area”), literally “[the process which] turns forests into homes and bush into towns.”.

􂀿the process which􂁀 turns forests into homes and bush into towns.

Àtẹ̀jáde kan tí Àjọ Ìparapọ̀ Àwọn Orílẹ̀-Èdè fi ṣọwọ́ sáwọn oníròyìn sọ pé: “Nítorí iṣẹ́ àgbẹ̀, iṣẹ́ sọgbódilé-sọ̀gbẹ́dìgboro àtàwọn ìgbòkègbodò míì téèyàn ò lè tètè rí ipa wọn, àwọn igbó kìjikìji tó kù sórí àwọn òkè kan ti ń pa run.”

2005, “Àwọn Àǹfààní Tá À Ń Rí Lára Òkè”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

“Some of these last wild areas are fast disappearing in the face of agriculture, infrastructure development and other creeping impacts,” explains a recent United Nations press release.

development (in rural areas or at the fringes of urban areas); urban sprawl


ẹnjinia

/ɛ̄.ŋ̄.d͡ʒī.ní.à/


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


ipapoda

From ì- + papòdà, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ipò (“position”) + padà (“to change, to transform”), literally “to change positions”
* padà is a splitting verb (ọ̀rọ̀-ìṣe ẹlẹ́là), in this case it is split by the "ipò"

af

(literally) changing of a position (in life);

(euphemistic, idiomatic) the act of transmitting to the other side


Ṣango-pipe

/ʃã̀.ɡó.k͡pí.k͡pè/

a form of oral poetry consisting of chanting and invocation (pípè) in worship of the orisha Ṣàngó


Ọlayiwọla

From Blend of ọlá (“honor”) + yí (“to roll”) + wọ̀ (“into”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “Honor has rolled into honor”.

blend

a unisex given name meaning “Honor has rolled into honor”

a surname, from the given name Ọláyíwọlá


mọlẹbi

Possibly from ọmọ (“child”) + ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“in”) + ẹbí (“family”), literally “Descendants of the family”


mọlẹbi

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

to treat or know someone as one's relative


Adeyẹmi

→ English: Adeyemi

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + yẹ (“to befit”) + mí (“me”), literally “Royalty befits me”.

blend

a unisex given name meaning “Royalty befits me”


Adeyẹmi

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dé (“to arrive”) + yẹ (“to befit”) + mí (“me”), literally “One who arrives and befits me”.

af

a unisex given name meaning “One who arrives me befits me”


pupọ

From partial reduplication of pọ̀ (“to be plenty”).


pupọ

ó fẹ́ràn ìjà púpọ̀

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - púpọ̀view map

ńkpɔ̀ ńkpɔ̀ANTONYMANTONYMNorthern NagoKamboleɔkpɔANTONYMANTONYMManigrikikpoANTONYMANTONYMSouthern NagoÌsakétékpúkpɔ̀ANTONYMANTONYMÌfànyìnkpúkpɔ̀ANTONYMANTONYMNote: 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


Logunẹdẹ

/ló.ɡũ̄ ɛ̀.dɛ̄/

Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì Ọṣọọsi#Yoruba

a primordial divinity and orisha associated with hunting and war. While he is said to be from Ẹ̀fọ̀n-Aláayè, his worship is centered in Ìbàdàn. He is closely associated with Ọ̀ṣun and Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì (with some sources saying he is their son).


ipinya

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pínyà (“to divide, to separate”), ultimately from pín (“share equally”) + yà (“break, divide, split”).


tẹli

Clipping of tẹlifíṣọ̀n, or from English telly.


majata

From má + jẹ + ata, literally “don't eat pepper”.


ẹlẹyinju aanu

head

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

yo-pos

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

yo-noun

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

ẹlẹ́yinjú àánú

/ɛ̄.lɛ́.jĩ̄.d͡ʒú àá.nṹ/

From oní- (“owner”) + ẹyinjú (“eyeball”) + àánú (“mercy”), literally “one with a merciful eye”.

af

(idiomatic) sympathetic person; compassionate person


ikebe

Borrowed from Nigerian Pidgin ikebe, ultimately from Edoid language such as Isoko ikebe, Urhobo ikebe or Edo ikebe.


olodongboro

/ō.ló.dò.ŋ̀.ɡ͡bō.ɾō/


ladugbo

clay pitcher (terracotta vessel for fetching water)


Ṣinko

(sometimes derogatory, offensive, ethnic slur) Chinese person


ọyẹyẹ

/ɔ̀.jɛ̀.jɛ̀/

ọ̀- + yẹ̀yẹ̀


ọyẹyẹ

/ɔ̀.jɛ́.jɛ́/


goobe

(informal, neologism) chaos; crisis; trouble


gogongo

/ɡò.ɡò.ŋ́.ɡò/


gidi-gidi

Noun sense derives from ideophone sense, ultimately from reduplication of gìdì (“solid, firm”)

Gìdì-gìdì ò mọ́là; ká ṣiṣẹ́ bí ẹrú ò da nǹkan.

Scurrying around does not ensure prosperity; working like a slave results in nothing.

Lẹ́yìn ìgbà yẹn, á wá sáré gìdìgìdì lọ wọ ọkọ ojú irin lọ sí ibùdó tó kàn

2000, “Atànmọ́lẹ̀ fún Ọ̀pọ̀ Orílẹ̀-Èdè”, in ÀKÁ ÌWÉ ORÍ ÍŃTÁNẸ́Ẹ̀TÌ ti Watchtower:

Afterward, he rushed to catch the train for another scheduled stop.

(of an entity) rushing in a stampede; having great strength


gidi-gidi

eegun gìdì-gìdì l'ó wà lára ọmọkùnrin yẹn

That boy has the strength of a yellow-backed duiker (literally, “The bones of the yellow-backed duiker are in the body of that boy”)


ko-la-ko-ṣagbe

From kò (“not”) + là (“to be wealthy”) + kò (“not”) + ṣagbe (“to beg”).


uwowo

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *u-ɣòɣò

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual

(Ekiti, Ifẹ, Usẹn) gourd; from the plant Lagenaria siceraria


alimoyi

Àlìmóyì oún Ọmọ́layọ̀ ó ká


ojule

From ojú (“face, eyes, opening”) + ilé (“house”).

compound

Ilé baba mi lójúlé mẹ́jọ

My father's house has eight rooms (literally, “My father's house has eight door entrances”)


Apẹtẹbi

title held by the wife of a babalawo (Ifá priest)


itẹlọrun

/ì.tɛ́.lɔ́.ɾũ̀/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ́ lọ́rùn (“to satisfy”).


ifasiti

Alternative form of yunifásítì (“university”)


fasiti

Clipping of yunifásítì, or from English varsity.


agbẹgilere

/ā.ɡ͡bɛ́.ɡī.lé.ɾē/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + gbẹ́ (“to carve”) + igi (“wood”) + ní (“adverbial preposition”) + ère (“sculpture”), literally “one who carves wood into sculpture”.

Bísí Fakẹ́yẹ jẹ́ ìlúmọ̀ọ́ká agbẹ́gilére, ó wá láti ìdílé agbẹ́gilére tí ó gbajúmọ̀. Bàbá-bàbá-bàbá rẹ̀ ni agbẹ́gilére Ọláwọyin láti Ìlá Ọ̀ràngún. Ìbátan Lámìdí Fákẹ́yẹ ni ó jẹ́. Àwọn ẹbí Fákẹ́yẹ ti gbé àwọn ìṣe àdáyébá ère gbígbẹ́ ilẹ̀ Yorùbá ga, wọn sì ti sọ ìṣe náà ti gbajúgba dé òkè òkun.

2022 May 14 (last accessed), “Bísí Fákẹ́yẹ”, in John Randle Centre For Yoruba Culture & History, archived from the original on 2022-07-05:

Bisi Fakeye is a carver of renown, from a family of famous carvers. His great grandfather was the carver Olawoyin from Ila Orangun. He is cousin to Lamidi Fakeye. The Fakeye family have maintained and developed the carving traditions of the Yoruba people and given them international fame.


ainitẹẹlọrun

head

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

yo-pos

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

yo-noun

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

àìnítẹ̀ẹ́lọ́rùn

/à.ì.nĩ́.ꜜtɛ́.lɔ́.ɾũ̀/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + ìtẹ́lọ́rùn (“satisfaction”).


ifẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fẹ́ (“to love; to desire”).


airiṣẹṣe

/à.ì.ɾí.ʃɛ́.ʃē/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + rí (“to see; to find”) + iṣẹ́ (“job”) + ṣe (“to do”).


airigbẹẹya

head

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

yo-pos

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

yo-noun

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

àìrígbẹ̀ẹ́yà

/à.ì.ɾí.ꜜɡ͡bɛ́.jà/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + rí (“to see; to find”) + ìgbẹ́ (“faeces”) + yà (“to egest”).


tẹjumalejo

/tɛ̄.d͡ʒú.má.ꜜlē.d͡ʒò/

From tẹjú mọ́ (“to stare at”) + àlejò (“guest; visitor”), literally “[that which] stares at visitors”.


olugbe

From olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + gbé (“to reside; to inhabit”).


ipagborun

/ì.k͡pā.ɡ͡bó.ɾũ̄/

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to kill”) + igbó (“forest”) + run (“to destroy”).


airọmọbi

/à.ì.ɾɔ́.mɔ̃̄.bí/

From àì- (“negating prefix”) + rí (“to find”) + ọmọ (“child”) + bí (“to birth”).


ipalara

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pa (“to do, to kill, to damage”) + ní (“on”) + ara (“body”)


adodo

→ Ayere: adòdó

Cognate with Igala òdòdó and Ayere adòdó

(Ekiti) Alternative form of òdòdó (“flower”)

Ọlọ́fin Ufẹ̀ jẹ́ kí ń radòdó ṣe èyé o ― Ọlọ́fin of Ifẹ̀, let me have a child I can be a mother to (literally, “Olofin of Ifẹ̀, let me see a flower that I can be a mother to”) (Èkìtì prayer for children)

(Ekiti, idiomatic) child (used as a term of endearment)


furọ

Probably from Baatonum pùrɔ̀ru, a sound change from p-->f may be possible as Yoruba does not have /p/


olugbeja

/ō.lù.ɡ͡bè.d͡ʒà/

From olù- (“non-productive agent prefix”) + gbèjà (“to defend”).


alabaaṣiṣẹpọ

head

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

yo-pos

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

yo-noun

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

alábàáṣiṣẹ́pọ̀

/ā.lá.ꜜbá.ʃī.ʃɛ́.k͡pɔ̀/

From oní- (“one who has”) + à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bá (“to accompany”) + ṣiṣẹ́ (“to work”) + pọ̀ (“together”).


gbeja

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


ede aiyede

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


omi tuntun ti ru, ẹja tuntun ti wọ ọ

omi tuntun ti rú (canonical)
ẹja tuntun ti wọ̀ ọ́ (canonical)

(figurative) each era brings its own fashion

(literal) new waters come, new fish enter


nle

Contraction of nílé (“at home”), from ní ilé


ọganwo

the name for four African mahogany trees in the genus Khaya, Khaya ivorensis, Khaya anthotheca, Khaya grandifoliola, and Khaya senegalensis


ṣago n bugo

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black

(figurative) pot calling the kettle black

(literal) the demijohn insults the bottle


eyinjija

/è.jĩ̀.d͡ʒì.d͡ʒà/


Adeyẹmọ

→ English: Adeyemo

From adé (“crown”) + yẹ (“to befit”) + ọmọ (“child”), literally “A crown befits the child”.

a male given name meaning “A crown befits the child”


Kọlade

→ English: Kolade

From kó (“to bring”) + ọlá (“honor, wealth”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “To arrive bringing honor”.

a male given name meaning “Bring honor home”, usually a shortening of a longer name


anikangbiju

/ā.nĩ̀.kã̀.ɡ͡bī.d͡ʒù/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + ni (“to be”) + ọ̀kàn (“only one”) + gbà (“to take, to occupy”) + ijù (“forest, jungle, wilderness”), literally “The one who solely dominates the forest”.

af

(idiomatic) the plant Hoslundia opposita


osilo

From ò- + sìlò, possibly related Owe Yoruba ùhìn

Ọmọbị̀nrin Àkúrẹ́ tọjà yìí bọ̀, ó f'òsìlò p'ẹfọ̀n ― The Akure girl comes from the market and uses a knife to kill a buffalo (oríkì of Àkúrẹ́)


imi-ọjọ

/ī.mĩ́.ɔ̄.d͡ʒɔ́/

From imí (“excrement, feces”) + ọjọ́ (“day, sunrise, sun”), literally “excrement of the sun”.

compound

sulfur (chemical element, S, atomical number 16)


ẹlịla

Part of the etymology possibly derives from lá (“to be big”), compare with Ifè lalá

(Ekiti) cow; (in particular) a shorthorn dwarf cow known as muturu. This species of cow is different from the zebu cow known as màlúù


ijẹgun

/ì.d͡ʒɛ̄.ɡṹ/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + gún.

af

(Ekiti) eggplant, garden egg; (in particular) Solanum aethiopicum


owo ifẹyinti

head

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

yo-pos

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

yo-noun

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

owó ìfẹ̀yìntì

From owó (“money”) + ìfẹ̀yìntì (“retirement”), literally “retirement money”.


ọsẹ Ogun

/ɔ̀.sɛ̀ ò.ɡṹ/

From ọ̀sẹ̀ (“day of the week”) + Ògún (“the orisha Ògún”).

compound

Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì Ọṣọọsi#Yoruba

the third day of the week in the traditional 4-day week of the Yoruba calendar. It is the day of the week dedicated to the worship of the orisha Ògún and other hunting/warrior orisha, including Ìja, Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì, Erinlẹ̀, Lógunẹ̀dẹ, Ọ̀tìn, and Òrìṣàoko


ọsẹ Ifa

/ɔ̀.sɛ̀ ī.fá/

From ọ̀sẹ̀ (“day of the week”) + Ifá (“the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà”).

the second day of the week in the traditional 4-day week of the Yoruba calendar. It is the day of the week dedicated to the worship of the orisha Ifá (Ọ̀rúnmìlà) and other orisha, including Ọ̀ṣun, Èṣù, Ọ̀sanyin, Yemọja, Olókun, Ajé, and Òṣùmàrè


ọsẹ Ọbatala

head

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

yo-pos

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

yo-prop

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

ọ̀sẹ̀ Ọbàtálá

From ọ̀sẹ̀ (“day of the week”) + Ọbàtálá (“the orisha Obatala”).

compound

the first day of the week in the traditional 4-day week of the Yoruba calendar. It is the day of the week dedicated to the worship of the orisha Ọbàtálá and other orisha and spirits, including Ṣànpọ̀nná, the Ìyàmí Àjẹ́, Yemòó, Egúngún, Ẹ̀lúkú, Orò, Òkè, and Yewa


ọsẹ Jakuta

head

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

yo-pos

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

yo-prop

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

ọ̀sẹ̀ Jàkúta

Lucumí: Yákuta

/ɔ̀.sɛ̀ d͡ʒà.kú.tā/

From ọ̀sẹ̀ (“day of the week”) + Jàkúta (“the orisha Jàkúta (Ṣàngó)”).

compound

the fourth and final day of the week in the traditional 4-day week of the Yoruba calendar. It is the day of the week dedicated to the worship of the orisha Jàkúta (Ṣàngó) and his wife, Ọya


idimulẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dìmú (“to hold”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”).


idimu

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dìmú (“to hold”).


pẹ

kí ọba kí ó pẹ́!

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


arinurode

/ā.ɾí.nṹ.ɾó.ꜜdē/

a- (“agent prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + inú (“inside”) + rí (“to see”) + òde (“outside”), literally “one who sees the inside and the outside”.


alagbada ina

oní (“owner”) + agbádá (“agbada”) + iná (“fire”), literally “wearer of the agbada of fire”.


ọịṣẹ

Possibly from Contraction of ọ̀ṣíṣẹ́, ultimately from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣị́ṣẹ́ (“partial reduplication of ṣẹ́ "to break"”). Perhaps a borrowing from Ondo.


loṣooṣu

Contraction of ní oṣooṣù (“every month”)


nijẹta

/nĩ́.ꜜd͡ʒɛ̄.tā/

Contraction of ní ìjẹta (“on the day before yesterday”)


lọsọọsẹ

/lɔ́.sɔ̀ɔ̀.sɛ̀/

Contraction of ní ọ̀sọ̀ọ̀sẹ̀ (“every week”)

ní ọ̀sọ̀ọ̀sẹ̀


ọsọọsẹ

/ɔ̀.sɔ̀ɔ̀.sɛ̀/


yii

Ọmọ yìí ni tèmi

Àpò yìí pupa


nijẹrin

/nĩ́.ꜜd͡ʒɛ̄.ɾĩ̄/


iyẹn

An intralingual borrowing from SEY spoken varieties into NWY and CY. The opposition between the demonstrative pronouns 'this' and 'that' is expressed by èyí and èyinì respectively in NWY and CY. In some SEY spoken varieties, however, it is ìyí and ìyẹn. In some NWY and CY spoken varieties èyinì and ìyẹn are still used side by side, but with ìyẹn gaining ground over èyinì.


yẹn

Clipping of ìyẹn. Coganate with Ìjẹ̀bú, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba yẹ̀n

Ọdún kan náà yẹn ni mo gbéyàwó

Mo fẹ́ ka ìwé yẹn


yẹn

Clipping of ìyẹ̀n. Cognates with Yoruba yẹn


Baayanni

a Yoruba orisha and divinity who is the brother of the orisha Ṣàngó. He is closely related to coral (iyùn). Some sources consider him to be synonymous with Dàda.


agbajọ

/à.ɡ͡bá.d͡ʒɔ̄/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbá (“to sweep; to rake”) + jọ (“together”).

af

(literally) the act of raking or sweeping of things together

(literally) that which is raked or swept together


gbẹgbẹrẹ

/ɡ͡bɛ̀.ɡ͡bɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/


ogolomọṣi

/ò.ɡò.lò.mɔ̃̀.ʃí/

compound

ògòlò + mọ̀ṣí


agbakoroju

/à.ɡ͡bà.kò.ɾó.d͡ʒú/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbà (“to hit, kick”) + kò (“negation prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + ojú (“surface”), literally “we hit it, but a mark did not surface”, highlighting the fact the shin is a strong part of the leg


ṣụnṣụnwịnwịn

head

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

yo-pos

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

yo-noun

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

ṣụ̀nṣụ̀nwịnwịn

/ʃʊ̃̀.ʃʊ̃̀.wɪ̃̄.wɪ̃̄/

(Ekiti) the plant Talinum fruticosum, also known as waterleaf


akojọ

/à.kó.d͡ʒɔ̄/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kó (“collect”) + jọ (“together”).


jọ

àwọn ọmọ yìí jọ ìyá wọn gan-an ni


jọ

to assemble; to congregate; to add up to something

wọ́n jọ lọ


iṣe eniyan niṣe ẹranko

(figurative) as animals behave, so do humans; one may learn much about humans by watching animals

(literal) the actions of humans are the actions of animals


di ẹndi lopin sinima

(figurative) when something is over, it is over

(literal) "the end" marks the end of a film show


epe la fi n wo epe san

(figurative) one matches the remedy to the affliction

fighting fire with fire
fighting fire with fire

(literal) curses are used to cure curses; fighting fire with fire


aaro ki i gbona kalẹ

head

ààrò kì í gbóná kalẹ́

ààrò kì í gbóná kalẹ́

yo-pos

ààrò kì í gbóná kalẹ́

ààrò kì í gbóná kalẹ́

(figurative) there is no difficulty that doesn't come to an end; tough times won't last forever

(literal) the hearth does not stay hot until nighttime


bi ina ba jo loko, majala a ṣofofo

bí iná bá jó lóko (canonical)
màjàlà á ṣòfófó (canonical)

(figurative) events that happen afar send their news back home

(literal) when a fire burns in the field its soot will gossip


alegun

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lé (“to be on top of; to be upon”) + gùn (“to climb”), literally “that which is stepped on to climb”.


atọtọ

(vulgar, anatomy) uncircumcised penis; foreskin


Ẹmilalẹ

/ɛ̀.mɪ̃̀.lā.lɛ̀/

Cognate with Igbo Ọmenala (“Igbo culture”), Igbo òmenàànị̀. From ẹ̀mị̀ + ni + alẹ̀ (“ground, earth”) + is, literally “Ẹ̀mị̀ is the ground” This term likely predates the concept of òrìṣà and the modern concept of the Yoruba religion, and points to the overarching beliefs of the Proto-Yoruboid and Igboid people.

(Ekiti) a divinity and spirit of the Earth worshipped mainly by the Eastern Yoruba people. It is regarded as a divinity of prosperity, fertility, as well as the protector, guardian, and origin of the land, each town has its own beliefs and forms of Ẹ̀mị̀lalẹ̀.


bi ina ba jo loko, majala a fo wa sile

bí iná bá jó lóko (canonical)
màjàlà á fò wá sílé (canonical)

(literal) when a fire burns in the field the soot flies home


aaro

Alternative form of àdìrò (“traditional Yoruba oven or stove and stand”)


ụrara

From ụ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ra (“to rub”) + ara (“body”).


ọkẹlẹjẹu

head

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

yo-pos

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

yo-noun

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

ọ̀kẹ́lẹ́jẹ̀ú

/ɔ̀.kɛ́.lɛ́.d͡ʒɛ̀.ú/

(Ekiti, derogatory, offensive, insultive) someone who is malnourished; someone who has kwashiorkor


aiye

Archaic spelling of ayé (“life, world”).


eeyan

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


gẹdu

Possibly related to Baatonum gɛ̃dɔ̃ and Igbo ìgèdu

the African mahogany trees - Khaya grandifoliola and Khaya ivorensis

(by extension) timber; (as the species of tree identified as gẹdú are often used as timber)


kaadi

Borrowed from English card. Doublet of tákàdá and ṣáàtì.

Mo fi káàdì ìdúpẹ́ ránṣẹ́ sí wọn


akolẹta

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kó (“to pack; to carry”) + lẹ́tà (“letter”), literally “one who carries letters”.


Lasisi

Derived from Arabic عَبْد الْعَزِيز (ʕabd al-ʕazīz).

der

عَبْد الْعَزِيز

Arabic عَبْد الْعَزِيز (ʕabd al-ʕazīz)

der+

عَبْد الْعَزِيز

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Abdulaziz


Alimi

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Alim


Kasimu

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Qasim


Bakare

Borrowed from Hausa Àbūbakàr̃, ultimately from Arabic أَبُو بَكْر (ʔabū bakr).

a male given name from Hausa, equivalent to English Abubakar


Aliyu

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Ali


Yisa

der

Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā)

(Islam) Jesus (Isa), a major prophet in Islam

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Isa


Disu

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Idris


Ganiyu

From Arabic عَبْد الْغَنِيّ (ʕabd al-ḡaniyy).

عَبْد الْغَنِيّ

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English 'Abd al-Ghani


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


ẹbọ

Cognate with Igala ẹ́bọ and Edo ẹbọ, from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-bɔ̄, equivalent to ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bọ (“to worship, to carry a sacrifice”)

af

ritual sacrifice or offering to a deity or divinity


eyin ọgan

/ē.jĩ́ ɔ̀.ɡã̀/

From eyín (“tooth”) + ọ̀gàn (“spur, spike”). Possibly related to Olukumi uga (“molar”)


ọgan

A plant of any of several species of plant in the genus Combretum of bushwillows, including Combretum micranthum, Combretum dolichopetalum, Combretum zenkeri, Combretum glutinosum, and Combretum paniculatum.


akukọ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kùkọ (“partial reduplication of kọ (“to crow”)”), literally “That which crows”, cognate with Igala àìkọ, Igbo ọ̀kụkụ̀, Edo ọkhọkhọ. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *à-kɪ̀kɔ. Likely related distantly to Proto-Bantu *nkókó, of onomatopoeic origin. See Akan akokɔ and other cognates in Benue-Congo

A hairstyle inspired by roosters' combs, worn by priestesses


ibẹrẹ

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bẹ̀rẹ̀ (“to begin, to commence”)

affix

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ìbẹ̀rẹ̀view map

ìɖònɖálɛ̀ABDUCENote: 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


yanana

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


Kogi

From Hausa Kogi, from Hausa kṑgī (“river”).


Adamawa

From English Adamawa, ultimately from Fula Adamawa in reference to the now defunct Adamawa Emirate

A state of Nigeria in the North East geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Yola.


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

Lọlá àti Yétúndé pàdé pọ̀


pọ

Ó pọ ẹ̀jẹ̀


pọ

Táyà kẹ̀kẹ́ ò ṣòroó pọ́


Iwọ Popo

From ìwọ + pópó, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọ (“to enter”) + pópó (“street, junction, road”), literally “The act of entering into the roads”.

af

ọdún Ọ̀ṣun-Òṣogbo
ọdun Ọṣun-Oṣogbo#Yoruba

a sacred ritual held in the beginning of August that signifies the start of the Osun-Osogbo festival (ọdún Ọ̀ṣun-Òṣogbo), it consisting of a traditional spiritual cleansing of the town and the roads.


ewuro

adùn ni ń gbẹ̀yìn ewúro

sweetness is the aftertaste of bitter leaf


oodo

Derived from owó (“cowrie”) + òdo (“zero”).


Iyanda

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

a unisex given name meaning “One who was specially chosen to be made”


Ọlọlade

From oní- (“one who has”) + ọlá (“honor, prestige, notability”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “The honorable one has arrived”.

a unisex given name meaning “The honorable one has arrived”


Eṣubiyii

From Blend of Èṣù (“the deity Èṣù”) + bí (“to give birth to”) + èyí (“this one”), literally “Èṣù gave birth to this child; Èṣù allowed this child to be born”.

blend

a male given name meaning “the deity Èṣù gave birth to this child”


Ifamakinde

Blend of Ifá (“Ifa; the deity Ifa”) + mú (“to bring”) + akin (“valor, bravery, warrior”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “The deity Ifa has brought the brave one here”

a male given name meaning “The deity Ifa has brought the brave one here”


ọlọrunmila

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ɾṹ.mĩ̀.là/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀rúnmìlà (“Orunmila”).

af

(rare) a priest of the worship of the divinity Ọ̀rúnmìlà and Ifa; babalawo


ibanujẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bà jẹ́ (“to be sad”) + inú (“insides/mind”).


itọ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tọ̀ (“to urinate”), cognate with Igala ìtọ̀.


itọ

Cognate with Igala ítɔ́, possibly from Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-tɔ̃́, ultimately equivalent to *í- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *tɔ̃́ (“to spit, to eject”), compare with Igbo asọ


Yemowo

From iye/iya (“mother”) + mòwó (“Mawu”), literally “Mother Mòwó”. See Măwŭ

compound

in the ancestral Ifẹ̀ religion, a supreme creator deity/goddess regarded as the consort of the sky deity Ọbàtálá (then known as Òrìṣà). She is likely equivalent to Mawu in the Dahomean religion

a divinity who is the wife of the deity of purity and creation, Ọbàtálá


Ọbanịfọnṣae

head

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

yo-pos

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

yo-prop

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

Ọbànị̀fọ̀nṣaè

/ɔ̄.bà.nɪ̃̀.fɔ̃̀.ʃā.è/

From Blend of Ọbànị̀fọ̀n (“the orisha Obalufon”) + ọ̀n (“negation prefix”) + ṣayè (“to lie”), literally “Obanifon is not a liar; Obanifon does not lie”

blend

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “The orisha Ọbànị̀fọ̀n is not a liar; Ọbàlùfọ̀n does not lie”


pẹlu

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

compound

Mo lọ pẹ̀lú Adé sí ilé sinimá


pẹlu

mo pẹ̀lú u wọn lọ

Ọlọ́run á máa pẹ̀lú gbogbo wa

to accompany someone, to be with someone


pọtimanto

Bi Falọrọ ti wi niyẹn. Maneja ileeṣẹ naa paapaa, Nazih Tabet, nigba ti oun naa n jẹrii niwaju awọn adajọ sọ pe oun ati Falọrọ lawọn jọ ka owo naa, ti awọn si fi i sinu pọtimanto kan, pe ki wọn le lọọ ko owo naa si Backlays Bank, to wa ni Ọba Akran, n’Ikẹja.

2020 June 29, admin, “Ibo 1979 ku si dẹdẹ, n lawọn adigunjale ba ko girigiri ba awọn oloṣelu atijọba Ọbasanjọ (4)”, in Alaroye:


bẹri

Mi ò ní bẹ́rí fún olóṣèlú


ajimẹfun

/ā.d͡ʒí.mɛ́.fũ̄/

a- (“agent prefix”) + jí (“to wake up”) + mú (“to take”) + ẹfun (“chalk”), literally “one who wakes up to grasp chalk”


abẹbẹ

→ Portuguese: abebé


obukọ

Proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-bʊ́kɔ, ultimately from to *ɔ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + *bʊ́kɔ, cognate with Igala òbúkọ, Yekhee uviukọ, and Edo ovbukhọ


Ẹsinmirin

/ɛ̀.sĩ̀.mĩ̀.ɾĩ̀/

Possibly from ẹ̀- + sìnmìrìn, which in term may be constructed to Proto-Yoruboid *ò-sĩ̀mĩ̀lì. Likely related to Igbo òsìmìlì (“river”), Igbo Òsìmìlì (“Niger river”), and Igala òhìmìnì (“a major river”). While the term only exists as the name of a mythological river found in an oral story, it may have originally been used as a term for any large body of water, similar to the Niger river, as the Proto-Yoruboid, and then Proto-Yoruba speakers migrated into Yorubaland and came upon many different large bodies of waters. The term likely was used in reference to the Niger river, the major body of water Proto-Yoruboid speakers would have known and likely worshipped. It is potentially an older cognate with Igbo mmiri (“water”) and thus potentially a Doublet of omi.

(obsolete) any big river or body of water, usually referring to the Niger river


Ẹsinmirin

/ɛ̀.sĩ̀.mĩ̀.ɾĩ̀/

(obsolete) Niger river; the spirit of the Niger river

(by extension, mythology) a body of water in the town of Ifẹ̀, featured in the story of Mọrèmí. The fact that there exists no well known river in Ifẹ̀ that is known as the Ẹ̀sìnmìnrìn may suggest the story points to the Niger river or the use of the term as one for a general large body of water

(by extension, mythology) a female water divinity believed to be the spirit of the Ẹ̀sìnmìrìn river


aferemọjo

/à.fè.ɾè.mɔ̃̀.d͡ʒò/

Alternative form of àfèìmòjò (“aardvark”)


oṣiṣẹ

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣiṣẹ́ (“to work”)


Ọbadio

From ọba (“king, father”) + Idìo (“the sacred shrine of Odùduwà in Ife”), literally “Father of Idio”

compound

the title of the chief priest of the worship of Odùduwà as a divinity in the town of Ifẹ̀


arun kogboogun

/à.ɾũ̀ kò.ɡ͡bóò.ɡũ̀/

From àrùn + kògbóògùn, ultimately from àrùn + kò + gbọ́ + òògùn


araalu

From ará (“relative, member”) + ìlú (“town, country”)


igbaradi

/ì.ɡ͡bá.ɾā.dì/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé (“to carry”) + ara (“body, one's self”) + dì (“before”).


olu-ilu

Láyé àtijọ́ ni Ìlú-Ọba Ọ̀yọ́, olú-ìlú kín-ìn-ní wọn jẹ́ Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé

In the days of old is when the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire existed, it's first capital was Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé


iṣelu

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣèlú (“to govern”).


laipẹ

From ní (“to have”) + àì (“negative prefix”) + pẹ́ (“to be delayed”), literally “without wait”


lailopin

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


laisi

From ní (“to have”) + àì- (“negative prefix”) + sí (“to be”), literally “without being; without existing”


aigbagbọ

/à.ì.ɡ͡bà.ɡ͡bɔ́/

From àì- (“negative prefix”) + gbàgbọ́ (“to believe”)


alaini

From oní- + àìní, ultimately from oní- (“one who has”) + àì- (“negative prefix”) + ní (“to have”), literally “One who has the act of not having”


adumaadan

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dú (“to be dark”) + máa (“that is”) + dán (“shining”), literally “that which is dark and shining”

Látibo ni àdúmáadán ọkùnrin níwájú mi ti wá, òun náà tó dá gbogbo èèyàn tó rí òun dúró?

Where has this beautiful dark-skinned man come from, the one that makes everyone that sees him to halt?

(idiomatic) a beautiful dark-skinned person


Ọsiria

/ɔ́.sí.ɾí.à/


basejẹ

From bà jẹ́ (“to spoil”) + àsè (“feast; event; occasion”).

com

Kàkà kí wọ́n mójú tó ilé ayé, wọ́n wá di bàsèjẹ́.

Instead of looking after the earth, they became vandals.


ki ni

From kí (“what”) + ni (“to be, is”), Cognate with Igbo gịnī (“what”)

Kí ni?

Nítorí kí ni?

Kí lo sọ?

Kí ni ta ni rà?

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - kí niview map

koABERRATEÈkóÈkókí niABERRATEÌbàdànÌbàdànkí niABERRATEÌbàràpáIgbó Òràkí niABERRATEÌbọ̀lọ́Òṣogbokí niABERRATEỌ̀fàkí niABERRATEÌlọrinÌlọrinkí niABERRATEOǹkóÒtùkí niABERRATEÌwéré IlékíABERRATEÒkèhòkí niABERRATEÌsẹ́yìnkí niABERRATEṢakíkí niABERRATETedékín niABERRATEÌgbẹ́tìkín niABERRATEỌ̀yọ́Ọ̀yọ́kí niABERRATEÒgbómọ̀ṣọ́kí niABERRATEÌkirèkí niABERRATEÌwókí niABERRATEStandard YorùbáNàìjíríàkí niABERRATEBɛ̀nɛ̀kí niABERRATENortheast Yoruba

kéABERRATEABERRATEManigrikéíABERRATEABERRATENote: 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


alase

From oní- (“one who has”) + àsè (“banquet; feast”).


ikunlẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kúnlẹ̀ (“to kneel”)


ibaluwẹ

Possibly from ibi (“place”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + lùwẹ̀ (“to shower, to swim”)


gbẹrẹbi

/ɡ͡bɛ̀.ɾɛ̀.bí/


oloogun ebi

/ō.lóò.ɡũ̀ ē.bī/

From olóògùn (“one who has medicine”) + ebi (“hunger”), literally “Curer of hunger”


Iyamọpọ

→ Portuguese: amapô, amapoa

a female deity believed to have discovered palm oil and serves as the patron of palm oil producers


akuṣẹẹ

/ā.kú.ʃɛ̀ɛ́/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + kúṣẹ̀ẹ́ (“to be destitute”), ultimately from kú (“to greet, to salute”) + ìṣẹ́ (“poverty”)


abọgibọpẹ

/ā.bɔ̄.ɡī.bɔ̀.k͡pɛ̀/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bọ (“to venerate”) + igi (“tree”) + bọ (“to venerate”) + ọ̀pẹ̀ (“palm tree”), literally “one who worships trees and palms”

af

Kò sí bí a ṣe lè ṣe abọgibọ̀pẹ̀ kí igba irúnmọlẹ̀ ò máa gbe ni

There is not a possibilty that one who practices animisim will not be favoured by the 200 divine supernatural spirits


ogunlende

ogúnlén̄dé (canonical)
ogunlén̄dé (canonical)

From the given name Ogúnlén̄dé, ogun (“war”) + lé (“to chase”) + n̄ (“me”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “war pursued me”


owo gba-maa-binu

From owó (“money”) + gbà (“take”) + má (“don't”) + bínú (“be angry”), literally “'take, sorry' money”


bọsikọrọ

→ English: bosicorner

/bɔ́.sí.kɔ̀.ɾɔ̀/

From bọ́ (“to go”) + sí (“to”) + kọ̀rọ̀ (“from English corner”), literally “go to the corner”, from the phrase "bọ́ sí kọ̀rọ̀, kó o yẹ̀ ẹ́ wò" (go to the corner to try it on)

from English <i class="Latn mention" lang="en">corner</i>

bend-down select; Okrika; secondhand thrifted clothes, often inexpensive and sold in roadside markets


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

compound

mo níran ọ̀rọ̀ náà

mo ní baba níran


Ọbanla

Lucumí: Ọbanla

From ọba (“father, king”) + ńlá (“big, large”), literally “mighty king; mighty father”.

a high ranking chieftaincy title in Yorubaland


agbagba

/à.ɡ͡bā.ɡ͡bà/

From àgba + gbà, compare with Ifè àgbáŋ̀gbà

cog

Ifè àgbáŋ̀gbà


Aringiya

/ā.ɾĩ̄.ɡí.jà/

(Eastern Akoko) a female water deity associated with fertility, chastity, and the harvest. She is worshipped by the people of Ìkàrẹ́


arugbo

From a- (“agent prefix”) + rú + ogbó (“elderliness, old age”), literally “One who has become one of old age”, compare with Olukumi árígbó and Itsekiri ẹlígbó, Igala ánágbó, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *a-rígbó, perhaps ultimately from a proto Edekiri form, though gbó (“to be old”), can be traced back to Proto-Yoruboid


oruwo

Cognates with Itsekiri orígho, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba orígho, Ìlàjẹ Yoruba orígho, Ìdànrè Yoruba orígho, Oǹdó Yoruba oígho, Ifè eríwo, Yoruba orí.


olurun

From olí- (“one who has”) + urun (“thing”). Compare with Yoruba olóhun


urunkurun

/ū.ɾũ̄.kú.ɾũ̄/

From urun (“thing”) + -kí- (“infix”) + urun (“thing”). Compare Yoruba ohunkóhun


urun

Compare Yoruba ohun. Cognate with Itsekiri urun, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba unrun, Èkìtì Yoruba unun, Ọ̀wọ̀ Yoruba ughun, Ondo Yoruba uun. Compare with Ede Idaca unwun.


Eṣu Laalu

/è.ʃù láà.lú/

Folk etymology states it comes from Èṣù (“the orisha Èṣù”) + ọlá (“honor, wealth”) + ìlú (“town”), literally “Èṣù, the honor of a town”

a nickname for the deity Èṣù, referencing his importance in the everyday life of a town.


ẹbọra

From ẹbọ + ara, cognate with Igala ẹ́bọ (“deity”), Edo ẹbọ, Olukumi ẹbọ, Urhobo ẹbo (“charm”)

(chiefly CY) deity, divinity; earth spirit

mythological monster or troll believed to live in forests


erukuku

Compare with Nupe lukuku, Urhobo inékuku, Edo elikhukhu, Igbo kpalakwukwu, Ebira arekuku, Ifè àlúŋ̀kùkù, Olukumi olékùkù, possibly related to Ibibio ebomon-kuku, a widespread Niger-Congo root, Blench (2003) proposes a reconstruction to Proto-Niger-Congo *-kuku. See proposed Proto-Yoruboid *è-lúkùkù. Probably ultimately Onomatopoeic

cog

Ifè àlúŋ̀kùkù


orisun

From orí (“head”) + ìsun (“flow; spring”).


igbelarugẹ

/ì.ɡ͡bé.lá.ɾū.ɡɛ̄/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbé lárugẹ (“to promote”)


Ayọbamikalẹ

From ayọ̀ (“joy”) + bá (“with”) + mi (“me”) + kalẹ́ (“till the end of time”)


Eti-Ọsa

From etí (“edge”) + ọ̀sà (“lagoon”), literally “edge of the lagoon”

one of Lagos State's 20 local government areas


ẹkun ijọba ibilẹ

head

ẹkùn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ẹkùn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

yo-pos

ẹkùn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ẹkùn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

/ɛ̄.kũ̀ ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā ì.bí.lɛ̀/

From ẹkùn (“district”) + ìjọba (“government”) + ìbílẹ̀ (“local”)


ogiriṣakọ

/ò.ɡì.ɾì.ʃá.kɔ́/

Ògìrìṣákọ́ ìí rárùn èṣí

The young palm tree never lacks growth (literally, “The young palm tree does not usually stunt in growth per year”) (proverbial incantation)


sanyan

highly valued woven silk cloth usually brown in color


oogun apakokoro

/ōò.ɡũ̀ ā.k͡pā.kò.kò.ɾò/

From oògùn (“medicine”) + apakòkòrò (“one that kills bugs”), ultimately from oògùn + a- (“agent prefix”) + pa (“to kill”) + kòkòrò (“bug; insect”)


kedere

Ó hàn kedere.


fiofio

igi gíga fíofío

Ó lọ sókè fíofío


geere

Alóyinlóhùn ni akéwì náà; ọ̀rọ̀ já geere lẹ́nu rẹ̀

That poet had a beautiful voice; they spoke with such fluency

Ó ń lọ geere


mọdẹmọdẹ

head

mọ̀dẹ̀mọ̀dẹ̀

mọ̀dẹ̀mọ̀dẹ̀

yo-pos

mọ̀dẹ̀mọ̀dẹ̀

mọ̀dẹ̀mọ̀dẹ̀

/mɔ̃̀.dɛ̀.mɔ̃̀.dɛ̀/

Ó ń lẹ̀ mọ̀dẹ̀mọ̀dẹ̀.


pẹlẹbẹ

Àwo roboto pẹlẹbẹ ni kó o rà fún mi

A round flat plate is what you should buy for me


gbagungbagun

/ɡ͡bá.ɡũ̄.ɡ͡bà.ɡũ̄/

Kò fi bẹ́ẹ̀ jìnnà, ṣùgbọ́n ọ̀nà rí gbágungbàgun.

It's not that far, but the road is bumpy.


wuruwuru

→ Nigerian Pidgin: wuru-wuru

Má jẹ́ kí iyàrá ẹ rí wúruwùru.

(of an object) disorganized; slovenly; messy; rough; dishevelled


ari-

àrìkú (“the act or state of not dying”)

àrìyú (“act or state of not going”)

àrìlà (“the act or state of not having wealth; a poor person”)

(Ekiti, Owe) negative nominalizing prefix; non- (added to verbs)


sunkun

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


Laaroye

Ẹlẹ́kún ń sunkún, Láàróyè ń ṣẹ̀jẹ̀ ― The crying person is crying, meanwhile Láàróyè is bleeding (Used to describe Láàróyè as someone who sympathizes)

a nickname or praise name of the orisha Èṣù


hẹbẹhẹbẹ

head

hẹ́bẹ́hẹ́bẹ́

hẹ́bẹ́hẹ́bẹ́

yo-pos

hẹ́bẹ́hẹ́bẹ́

hẹ́bẹ́hẹ́bẹ́


ṣikiti

(of hair or vegetation) thick; dense; lush


pẹrẹsẹ

/k͡pɛ̄.ɾɛ̄.sɛ̄/

Àwo pẹrẹsẹ


fẹlifẹli

Iyán yìí gbóná fẹlifẹli.

Ìròyìn tó gbóná fẹlifẹli

Breaking news (literally, “Piping hot news”)


ijọba ibilẹ

head

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

yo-pos

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

yo-noun

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

/ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā ì.bí.lɛ̀/

From ìjọba (“government”) + ìbílẹ̀ (“native; traditional”).

com

Ìjọba Ìbílẹ̀ Olúyọ̀lé

local government area (administrative division of a state)


ami ayo

From àmì (“mark; sign”) + ayò (“competition; game”)

Àmì ayò méjì sí òdo.


laali

From Hausa lallḕ, possibly through an intermediary like Nupe lǎli


ṣukuṣuku

Máa fi omi àti iyọ̀ yọnu ṣùkùṣùkù.


gedegede

Ó yàtọ̀ gédégédé.


ọwa

Likely from Edo ọgua (“courtyard of a traditional home”), see Urhobo ọguá (“palace”), Olukumi ọ́gwá (“palace”)

Ọwá

title of monarchs in certain regions of Yorubaland

Ọmọ ọwá, ọmọ ẹkùn
Child of the king, child of the leopard (praise poetry of people of Àkúrẹ́)

(historical) palace, great house
(by extension, CY, NEY) king, monarch


hẹlẹhẹlẹ

Ajá ń sáré, tó sì ń mí hẹlẹhẹlẹ.


Giẹsi

Probably from a Contraction or a nickname

(historical) a historic monarch, or Ọ̀ọ̀ni, of the Ifẹ̀ kingdom

(by extension) one of the four ruling houses of Ifẹ̀, consisting of descendants of Gíẹ́sì


Ọhọri

Ohori people, a subethnic group of the Yoruba people in the Republic of Benin, whom speak one of the various Yoruboid Ede languages, Èdè Ìjɛ̀

the Yoruboid language spoken by the Ohori people, also known as Ije, and sometimes regarded as a dialect of Yoruba


parọwa

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


olowo

From oní- (“one who has”) + owó (“money”).


olowo

From oní- (“one who has”) + òwò (“business”).


oniwaduwadu

From oní- (“one who has”) + wàdùwàdù (“haste; impatience”).


dudu bi koro iṣin

/dú.dú bí kó.ɾó ī.ʃĩ̄/


yekeyeke

Ó yé mi yékéyéké.


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)


ejo lọwọ ninu

head

ejò lọ́wọ́ nínú

ejò lọ́wọ́ nínú

yo-pos

ejò lọ́wọ́ nínú

ejò lọ́wọ́ nínú

/ē.d͡ʒò lɔ́.wɔ́ nĩ́.nṹ/

(literally) a snake's hands are on its inside.

Ọ̀túnba ní ìwé àṣẹ fún irú ìbọn kan náà tí wọ́n fi pa Báyọ̀ àti Adérójú, ejò lọ́wọ́ nínú.

Ọ̀túnba had the license for the same kind of gun that was used to kill Báyọ̀ and Adérójú, how suspicious.

more than meets the eye
more than meets the eye

(idiomatic) there's more than meets the eye; a seemingly innocent person is suspicious.


rẹnfẹnrẹnfẹn

/ɾɛ̃̄.fɛ̃́.ɾɛ̃̄.fɛ̃́/


gbongbodu

/ɡ͡bō.ŋ́.ɡ͡bō.dú/


ẹyunbọ

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yún (“to go”) + bọ̀ (“to come”), literally “the act of going and coming”.


papayẹkẹ

Compare Yoruba pẹ́pẹ́yẹ, Olukumi kpẹ́kpẹ́yẹ. Cognate with Itsekiri kpákpáyẹkẹ


ubirọ

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bírọ̀ (“to ask”). Cognate with Itsekiri ùbírọ̀


wunrẹn

Borrowed from the Ẹ̀gbá and Ijebu dialects


ọlọyẹ

/ɔ̄.lɔ̄.jɛ́/

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


erewun

Eréwùn Ìjẹ̀bú ré m sọ pẹ̀lú iye mi

I speak the Ìjẹ̀bú language with my mother


gborigbo

/ɡ͡bò.ɾì.ɡ͡bò/

Cognate with Yoruba gbòǹgbò, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba egbògbò


gborigbo

/ɡ͡bò.ɾí.ɡ͡bò/


usọkusọ

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


ẹdiyẹ

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


ẹduwẹ

Cognates with Yoruba adìyẹ, Olukumi ẹ́dúwẹ́


urẹn

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


ọnọkọn

ọnọ̀kọn (canonical)
ọnọ̀kọ̀n (canonical)

/ɔ̄.nɔ̀.kɔ̃̄/

/ɔ̄.nɔ̀.kɔ̃̀/

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


ọwọnwe

/ɔ̀.wɔ̃̀.wé/

From ọ̀ (“normalizing prefix”) + wọn (“3rd person plural”) + ìwé (“this”). Cognates with Yoruba ìwọ̀nyí, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ìghànyí


pọpọṣinṣin

head

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

yo-pos

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

yo-noun

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn

/k͡pɔ̀.k͡pɔ̀.ʃĩ̀.ʃĩ̀/

A kú pọ̀pọ̀ṣìnṣìn ọdún

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


wọnwe

From wọn (“3rd person plural”) + ìwé (“this”). Cognates with Yoruba wọ̀nyí, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ghànyí


ẹwunrẹnkọn

head

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

yo-pos

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

yo-noun

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

ẹwúnrẹ̀nkọ̀n

/ɛ̄.wṹ.ɾɛ̃̀.kɔ̃̀/

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


ramuramu

/ɾā.mṹ.ɾā.mũ̀/

Kìnnìún bú ramúramù.


uyanẹrun

/ù.jà.nɛ́.ɾũ̄/

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


iyalẹnu

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


iwewee

From ìwé (“this”) + ìwé (“this”). Compare Yoruba èyíyìí, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba iyiìyí


wọnyẹn

From wọn (“3rd person plural”) + ìyẹ̀n (“that”). Cognates with Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ghànyẹ̀n


wọnyẹn

From wọn (“3rd person plural”) + ìyẹn (“that”). Cognates with Ìjẹ̀bú Yoruba wọ̀nyẹ̀n, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ghànyẹ̀n


iwọriwọ

/ì.wɔ̀.ɾì.wɔ̀/

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


gbau

Bọ́ǹbù bú gbàù

Òkè Nyiragongo bú gbàù


gbau

Igi dá gbáú bí igi ìṣáná

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


ọwọnyẹn

/ɔ̀.wɔ̃̀.jɛ̃̀/

From ọ̀ (“nominalizing prefix”) + wọn (“3rd person plural”) + ìyẹ̀n (“that”). Cognates with Yoruba ìwọ̀nyẹn, Ìkálẹ̀ Yoruba ìghànyẹ̀n


ewọriwọ

/è.wɔ̀.ɾì.wɔ̀/

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

inh

*ɛ̀-ɣɔ̀rɪ̀ɣɔ̀

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - èéfínview map

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


uwọn

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


uwọn

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


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


ọnẹ

(SEY) crocodile, specifically the Nile crocodile.

Yoruba Varieties and Languages - ọ̀nìview map