20 Yorùbá Idioms, Their Meaning & How You May Use Them

20 common Yorùbá idioms you can learn and use

1. Ta téru nípàá
   Translation: Kick the calico fabric
   Meaning: To die
2. Júbà ehoro
   Translation: Pay homage to the hare
   Meaning: To run away
3. Fi àáké kọ́rí
   Translations: Hang an axe on the head
   Meaning: Insist completely
4. Tutọ́ sókè fojú gbà á
   Translations: Spit upward and let it land back on your face,
   Meaning: Be excessively angry.
5. Ru igi Oyin
   Translations: Carry a tree with honey bees on the head
   Meaning: Throw oneself into trouble.
6. Gbèkuru jẹ lọ́wọ́ ẹbọra
   Translations: Take white beancake from a ghost
   Meaning: To die.
7. Fẹ́wọ́
   Translations: Blow the hand
   Meaning: To steal.
8. Kọtí ikún
   Translations: Turning the ear of a ground squirrel
   Meaning: Refuse to listen.
9. Pọnmi sí ajádìí apẹ̀rẹ̀
   Translations: Fetch water into a basket without a base
   Meaning: Engage in a wasted effort.
10. Kó ẹrẹ̀ bá èèyàn:
    Translations Stain someone with dirt
    Meaning: Involve someone in a mess.
    

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11. Àkàrà tú sépò
    Translations: A bean cake spills into the oil
    Meaning: A secret is exposed.
12. Sọ ojú abẹ ní ìkó
    Translations: Give the blade a knock
    Meaning: Break its edge.
13. Kókó ń bẹ lẹ́fọ̀ọ́
    Translations: There is a lump in the vegetable
    Meaning: Someone not supposed to hear is around.
14. Kojú ẹni sí oòrùn alẹ́
    Translations: Turn someone’s face to the evening sun
    Meaning: To disappoint someone.
15. Fún èèyàn ní igbó dídí sán
    Translations: To give someone a dense forest to clear
    Meaning: To give someone tedious work to do.
16. Gun ẹṣin abónímú
    Translations: Ride a dangerous horse
    Meaning: To endanger one’s life.
17. Ọbá wàjà
    Translations: The king entered the roof.
    Meaning: The king died
18. Gbé ááyán mì
    Translations: Swallow a cockroach.
    Meaning: Got pregnant
19. Fì ìdí rẹ omi
    Translations: Soak one’s bottom in water.
    Meaning: Failed
20. Na pápá bora
    Translations: Cover yourself with bush savannah.
    Meaning: Run awayLets delve deeper into Yorùbá Idioms and their function
    
    Idioms known as Àkànlò-èdè in Yorùbá can be described as statements that their meaning significantly differs from its literal interpretation. This is because the overall meaning of the idiom often deviates from the meanings of each word that make up the statement.

    Idioms are often ambiguous. This is because their meanings tend to extend beyond a single straightforward interpretation. While their literal meanings may be apparent, idioms also carry deeper or metaphorical meanings, which is the essence of their uniqueness.

    There is no culture or society in the world without its own idioms. Among the Yorùbá people, idioms hold a special place, by enriching the language and enhancing its expressiveness.

    Functions of Idioms in Yorùbá LanguageThe Yorùbá people employ idioms for various purposes, particularly in statements where subtlety or indirectness is required. Here are some key reasons for their use:

    1.   To Make Meaning Unclear  for Specific Audiences:

    Idioms allow Yorùbá speakers to communicate in ways that are not immediately understood by everyone. For instance, adults might use idioms when discussing sensitive matters in the presence of children or others who lack deep cultural or linguistic understanding. Similarly, they might use idioms to exclude non-native speakers from understanding the conversation’s deeper meanings.

    2.   As a Marker of Language Proficiency:

    Mastery of idioms is often a sign of linguistic depth in Yorùbá. A person who understands and uses idioms correctly is regarded as someone who has a profound grasp of the language. The ability to decode and interpret idioms is considered a key measure of fluency and cultural literacy.

    Idioms serve more than just for communication purposes. They are also a repository of Yorùbá wisdom and worldview. They act as a form of encoded communication. In addition to their cultural importance, idioms are dynamic, reflecting the evolution of language and society, this is because while some idioms are gradually going into extinction due to changes in language use and cultural practices, new idioms are emerging to capture contemporary realities.

    It is nearly impossible to count the number of idioms in the Yorùbá language. This is because the language continues to evolve, and as some idioms fade into extinction, others emerge to take their place. Let’s examine some Yorùbá popular Idioms.

    In conclusion, Idioms are a very important part of Yorùbá culture and communication. Beyond their literal meanings, they capture the cultural wisdom of the group, enrich their language, and serve as tools for subtle communication among the speakers of the language. The evolving nature of idioms ensures that the Yorùbá language remains dynamic, by adapting to the changing realities of its speakers while preserving the richness of its heritage.

    Please feel free to add Yorùbá Idiom we may have left out, in the comment section of this article.