Translating or interpreting some Yoruba words to English literarily could be funny. This arguably contributed to some of the errors we make speaking correct English grammar. Coupled with the fact that Yoruba is a Tonal language (which means the way you pronounce a word determines its meaning), it does not have special pronoun for male and female as English language does.
Enough of the story let’s get down to business. Direct meanings are in italics. Let’s laugh it out.
Wa maa lo – Come and be going
This is used when you are asking somebody to leave. Example: “Ile ti n su, tete wa maa lo” which means “Start to leave for it’s getting dark”.
Mo n bo – I’m coming.
This is to really mean “I’ll be back”.
Isu ata yan-an yan-an – Yam pepper scatter scatter
This is a Yoruba phrase that is used to describe a situation out of control, especially riot or fight which has escalated beyond normal.
Eefejoku – You’ll almost die dancing or You’ll almost die burning.
I’m sure Nigerian hip hop lovers would be familiar with this one. Anytime “ku” (which means die) is used to complete a word or phrase, it’s used to emphasize or exaggerate the extent to which something would be done or has been done. Example: “Wale ti fee jeun ku” which means “Wale has been eating a lot”.
Okunrin meta ataabo – Three and a half man.
This originally means ‘strong man”. It’s a Yoruba adjectival phrase used to describe a strong or hard working man, this is to mean he’s man three times and half a normal man.
Ijekuje – Eat die eat
This simply means “junks” or something not profitable to your body.
Alapata – He who kill and sell
This simply means a “butcher”.
Amunututu – Makes belly cold
This is a type of water leave used as vegetable especially to support “egunsi” (mellon)
Oka’re – You plucked right
This simply means “Well done”
Ekaaro – Die morning
Ekaasan – Die afternoon
Ekuurole – Die evening
Ekaale – Die night.
All this are simply time greetings which means “good morning”, “good afternoon” and “good evening” consecutively (note: “ekaale” also means “good evening”)
Odaaro – Till morrow morning
This simply means “good night”
Olosa – Sea owner
This means “harm robber” while “thief” translate “ole”.
Maa sanjo – I will pay day
This simply means “I’ll repay your investments on me”, usually from children to parents or among folks.
Mi o le wa lo ku – I cannot come and go and die.
This is used when one is tired of doing something especially when it is drudgery or stressful in nature.
Owo olowo – Rich person’s money
This really means “it’s not my money” or “it’s somebody else’s money”
Panapana – Kill fire kill fire
Simply means “Fire fighter”
Omi ero – Engine water
“Omi ero” means “Tap water”.
Olopa – Stick owner
“Olopa” means “Police” or “Cop”. They are called “olopa”(stick owner) because they are usually found with sticks in those time, if it were to be now they’ll be called “Onibon” i.e “gun owner” because they’ve long drop sticks for guns.
There you have it and you can add your own. I would have loved to add “amin” (intonation signs) on each Yoruba word for proper comprehension but my keyboard lacks such luxury.
NB: Grammatical corrections are highly welcome as I am not a good grammarian.
Source: myself (www.babsopey.wordpress.com)
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