To Be and To Have in Yoruba: Jẹ́, Wà and Ní
Yoruba uses different words for being something, being somewhere and having something.
English "to be" and "to have" each split into more than one word in Yoruba.
To be: identity — jẹ́
Use jẹ́ to say what someone or something is:
- Mo jẹ́ akẹ́kọ̀ọ́. I am a student.
- Ó jẹ́ dókítà. He or she is a doctor.
- Èyí jẹ́ ìwé. This is a book.
Often, Yoruba uses ni instead:
- Èmi ni Tolú. I am Tolú.
To be: location — wà
Use wà for being somewhere:
- Mo wà nílé. I am at home.
- Wọ́n wà ní ọjà. They are at the market.
- Ìwé náà wà lórí tábìlì. The book is on the table.
To be: description
For adjectives, Yoruba often uses a verb or a descriptive word:
- Ó ga. He or she is tall.
- Ilé náà tóbi. The house is big.
To have — ní
Use ní for possession:
- Mo ní ìwé. I have a book.
- Ó ní ọmọ méjì. He or she has two children.
- A ní àkókò. We have time.
Negative
- Mi ò ní owó. I don't have money.
- Kò sí níbí. He or she is not here.
Existence
Wà and kò sí also express existence:
- Omi wà. There is water.
- Kò sí omi. There is no water.
Summary
| Idea | Word |
|---|---|
| being something | jẹ́ |
| being somewhere | wà |
| having | ní |
Tips
- Choose by meaning.
- Learn the three together.
- Use the dictionary to check examples.
English Yoruba Dictionary
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