N y0RU8A

Ex
C. K.

Libris

OGDEN

LANGUAGE STUDIES
IN

YORUBA.

ALL

RIGHTS

RESERVED.

LAGOS.
SOCIETY'S BOOKSHOP.

CHURCH MISSIONARY

1914.

SRLfJ

/if

c,:

INTRODUCTION.
This book

who

those

aim

is

between

Its

intended to be practical and to

desire

to

full

rules

of

English

and

service to the student,

use

it

full

a book

Grammar

be of

will

who wish

to

conjugation of the verb appears in Part X.

of learning the intonation

laid

on the necessity

and meaning

The same may be

time.

for the

of

and a phrase

for those

Too much emphasis cannot be

same

need

treatise

grammatical

assist

Yoruba Language.

the

learn

to supply the long-felt

The

book.

is

said of

of

words

at the

memory work,

primary need in learning any language

Vocabulary.

Part

III. is so

is

arranged that the student

can give special attention to any group of nouns

if

so desired.

Use has been made

and Wood's Notes.

The student

to purchase the following

of the

Yoruba Language

Readers.

Bowen's Grammar

of

Bibeli

and the

is

recommended

Mimp

Dictionary

full series of

Yoruba

These can be obtained at any of the C.M.S.

Bookshops.

LANGUAGE STUDIES
IN

YORUBA.

CONTENTS.
PART I.
ORTHOGRAPHY.
Section

1.

2.
3.

4.
5.
(>.

7.
8.

9.

Page

The Alphabet

Vowels
Consonants

8
.

Diphthongs
Tones or Accent
Elision of Vowels

Words beginning with

9
10
10

"

II

n," for pronunciation

Syllables, for pronunciation

Interchange of letters

..

PART

..

..

12

13

II.

VERBS.
Section
,,

2.

Simple or Root Verbs, Classes 1 and 2

Nouns and other words for use with verbs

3.

Illustrative sentences

1.

Extended

Verbs which express existence

Number Gender Case

7.

list of

,,

1.

3.
4.
5.

,,

(5.

,,

7.

Translation, Yoruba-English
to Translation in Section 7
.

Key

NOUNS

2.

simple Verbs, Class

PART

,.

5.

8.

Section

4.

t>.

.,

14, 15

17

22

.25,

to the Universe,
Domestic Life

to

and National
.

and Civic Life

and Commerce
Farm and Country Life
Political and Legal Questions
Anatomy and Diseases

to
to
to

IN

Life

to Religious
to Trades

24

26
27
28

III.

GROUPED, CLASSIFIED, AND

ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

Relating
Relating
Relating
Relating
Relating
Relating
Relating

10

29
30
31

32
32
34
35

6
Section

S.

Relating to Theological and

9.

Sentences for daily

10.

Translatic.n.

11.

Key

EMUkMl QOMtioiM
..

Yonilia-Kii'.ilisli

to Translation

3<>

u-<

in

Section

10

..

3!t

..

4O

PART IV.
PRONOUNS.
Section

1.

of
Pronouns;
Euphonic Concord

3.

Illustrative Sentences

6.
7.

8
9.

1.

3.
4.

o.

7.

8.

4.~>

4i
4S
"<>
~>1

Li

"

"
and " Ni

Conjunctions and Interjections

Translation, Yoruba-English ..
Kev to Translation in Section

Extended

r.x.

.">!!.

.'!

i<>

VI.
&c.

of Simple Verbs, Class 2

Illustrative Sentences
list

to Sentences in Section

with
>-

>'{

....

*>4
'>">

.~>4

61

Auxiliary Verbs
Tenses of the Verb ri = to see
Notes on the words
n, ri, ko, ki and bi
Salutations in common use
Appropriate Answers to Salutations.

8.

~>3

3.

7.

"-

Key

0.

i:i

43

2.

5.

4i'

SI'KKCH.

4.

4i'.

Illustrative
2,
Simple Verbs.
Sentences
Key to Sentences in Section
with Notes
Adjectives
Adverbs; Illustrative Sentences and Notes ..
Special Note on
Prepositions and Notes ;

PART
1.

41.

with

Class

VERBS,
Section

Translation, Yoruba-English ..
Kev to Translation in Section s

"

(i.

and

2.

..

Translation exercise in use of Pronouns

Key to Translation in Section 4
Accent with Illustrative Sentences
Example of Literal and Idiomatic Translat ion

PART V.
VARIOUS PARTS OF
Section

of

Examples
..

Demonstrative
Interrogative Pronouns

Relative,

5.

..

Reflexive,

2.

4.

and

Table

Translation, Yoruba-English
Key to Translation in Section 8
.

i><i.

<7

68
69
7n

70

PART VII.

COMPOUND VERBS.
Section

1.

2.

,,

3.

4.
5.

71

74

6.

Extended

7.

Key

8.

Translation, Yoruba-English
Key to Translation in Section 7

list

of

Compound Verbs

Illustrative Sentences

9.

Page

union of verb and noun ..

Verbs, Class 1
union of verb and
Verbs, Classes 2 and 3
noun and preposition, &c.
Verbs, Class 4
object inserted between its
two parts, with Illustrative Sentences
Key to Sentences in Section 3
Various other Compound Verbs
.

74
75
76

with

to Sentences in Section 6
.

77

78
78
79

PART VIII.
NOUNS.
Section

1.

Nouns formed by Vowel

Prefixes
Syllabic Prefixes
"
"

2.

3.
4.

5.
6.

8.

9.

10.

"

s
and ri
of changes in words
Prefixes denoting ownership or possession
"
"
ai
.
and " alai "
Negative Prefixes

Examples

"

Nouns formed by

7.
.,

reduplication

composition

Vocabulary of Compound Nouns

Translation, Yoruba-English

Key

to Translation in Section 9

80
80
81

82
84
85
86
86
88
89

PART IX.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Section

1.

2.
3.

Numerals, 1 1,000
Notes on the use of Numerals
Yoruba Proverbs
.

of

Literal

4.

Example

5.

Translation, English-Yoruba
Key to Translation in Section 5
Examples of Idiomatic Translation

Yoruba-

Translation,

English
,,

6.
7.

90
92
93

96
98
99
99

PART X.
Section

1.

Conjugation of the

Verb

ri

to see

..

..

101

LANGUAGE STUDIES

PART

IN

YORUBA.

I.

ORTHOGRAPHY.
SECTION

1.

THE ALPHABET.
The English alphabet
Yoruba language.
Capitals

modified to meet the sounds of the

is

ABDEEFGGbHIJKLMNOQP
R
U W
S

Small letters

Y.

abdeefggbhijklmnoQp
u w
t

Vowels
a

oi

Diphthongs

u.

bdfggbhiklmnprs?twy.
be
noticed that

It will
e,

gb, 9

and

s are

and z are omitted from, and

the English alphabet.

c, q, v, x,

added

to,

SECTION

VOWELS.
a,

"

has one sound only.

a " as in father
(e.g.)

Father =baba.

Shoe

>a in.

Drum=bata.
e,

an.

Consonants

that

ai

y.

has the sound of " e " in grey

('.'/)

Mound =ebe.
Language
Seven =eje.

"< It

2.

short sound as

9,

(e.g.

"

in

met

Request = 9*59.

= $9.

Jest

i,

"

Rafter = ek9.
has the one sound as " ee " in

fee

Evil=ibi.

(e.g.)

Reason = id I.
Tree=igi.
o,

sound as
(e.g.

in

no

River = odd.

Glory =ogo.

Rain = 6j6.
9,

has the sound of

(e.g.

''

aw

"

as in law

Monkey =^9.

Day=9J9.

Hoe=9k9.
u,

sound

(e.g.

oo " as in

"

of

moon

Prison = tiibu.

Cold = tutu.

Wicked = buburu.

SECTION

3.

CONSONANTS.
b,

and

g, is

d,

have the same sound as in English.

"
always hard as in
garden."

gb, and p, sounds are the most difficult,

gb, is a hard sound, and p, is a soft sound.
"
"
Something of each letter is sounded in
gb
"
pronounced as if written
kp."

and " p "

is

Only a native can help in the pronunciation of these letters?

and continuous practice on the part of the learner is

X.B.

essential.
h,

is

j, is

k,

always aspirated,
soft as in

'*

jelly."

w, and y, have the same sounds as in English

but are pronounced as if written thus
ki, li, mi, ni, ri, si,
" "
i
ti, wi, yi
having the ee sound.
1,

m,

n, r,

s, t,

10

sometimes appears at

n,

end

tli<-

of

ii

\vunl.

ami

i-<

merely a nasal

i-mling

To appear

(<-..'/.)

lum.

has the same sound as

s.

(e.g.

To work

''

sh

"

in A/mil

"

pronounced

sis^,

SECTION

sliislu,'-."

4.

DIPHTHONGS.
ai,

sound both
"

Daily Mail

letters as in the

"

"

Cockney

"

pronunciation of

Unclean =aim9.

(e.g.)

Ignorant =aim<>.

Undone =aise.
ai,

the negative participle and takes the place of

"
in English.
"
"
oi
in oil.
has the sound of

"

is

"

oi,

au.

un " or

in

sound each lettejvthen unite them, preserving the sound

each

of

letter.

SECTION

5.

TONES OR ACCENT.
The marks over the vowels

indicate tone, or accent.

The tones may be described

a,

Acute,

a, circumflex.
a, raise the voice

Open,

a,

full

as

a,

acute

a,

open

a,

grave

about a tone.
keep an even tone.
Grave, a, drop the voice about a tone.
"
aa."
Full, a, lengthen the sound as if written
the
union
of
two
vowels and carries
Circumflex, a, indicates
a musical sound.

Ask a native to pronounce 6tp = truth

and repeat until the sound is acquired.

N.B.

and SuTU = patience,

is a language of intonation, and it is essential to a

knowledge of the vernacular, that the tones be learnt at
the time of learning the meanings of the words.

Yoruba

11

SECTION

6.

ELISION OF VOWELS.
1.

When two
them

is

(e.g.

2.

vowels of the same sound come together, one of

dropped
)

= ra asp
= f 9 ese

cloth

Love

sin

When two
or

stronger,

Buy

pronounced ra

pronounced

f9

'sp.

'9.

vowels of a different sound come together, tho

accented vowel is retained and the weaker

dropped
(e.g.

Know
Cover

3.

= 1119 ara r^
=
bo ara r$
thyself
thyself

pronounced m9 'ra rf.

pronounced bo 'ra r$.

In some cases euphony seems to rule, and in other instances

neither vowel is dropped, but both are exchanged for the
"
vowel " u
(e.g.

To run = sa
To

lie

= pa

ire;

irp

pronounced "sure."
pronounced

SECTION

THE PREFIX
"

"

puri?," etc.

vt

7.

"

N."

"

n is used as a prefix to form

In the following table the letter
the present, imperfect, participle of the verb
(e.g.)

To love=f?

They are inserted at

loving=nf<?.

this stage for practice in pronunciation only

SECTION

8.

SYLLABLES.
Practice in the vowel sounds until perfect both in pronunciation

and hearing
a

is

essential.

13

SECTION

9.

INTERCHANGE OF LETTERS.
In consulting the Dictionary for the meaning of words,

it

is

necessary to remember that letters are frequently interchanged.

1.

Not a few words

begin, indifferently with

as abanij$, or pbanij?
an injurer.

"

a " or " o "

2.

begin indifferently with

or ifiyesi = attention.

afiyesi,
3.

"

"

and

to-day
"
-1.

"
.3.'

(5.

"

Some words

"

"

"

for

"

"

"

Ci

^";

as

are interchangeable as 1'eni, or l'oni =

= head.
or l'ori = upon
eii, or oii

"

"

''

1'eii,

for

''S" for

"

a," or

as ge, or ke

= to

as iho, or afo

and"w"
"

"

for

"

=a

"h";

cut.

valley.

in w6, or

h6 = to

boil.

"

The interchange of s and s is particularly noticeable

in some parts of the country and may be regarded as
dialectical

(c.f/.

In words like ese, es^, esin, ese,

"
"
to detect the
sh
sound.

ise, it is difficult

14

PART

II.

SECTION

1.

SIMPLE OR ROOT VERBS, CLASS

B4=to meet.
B$ = to beg or
Bf=to beget.

B6=to
B$=to
B6 = to
D4=to
D$=to
D$ = to

cover.

Di=to

tie.

D6=to encamp.
entreat.

F6=to

arrive.

receive.
lift.

excavate.

Gb6 = to bark.

H4=to
He = to
H6 = to
Hp=to

Hu = to

hear.
lock, or fasten.

L4=to
L^=to
Li

= to

L6

'" use.

Lp = to
LA = to

<>r

vessels).

a grand style.

puzzle.

Jp = to resemble.
= to throw (as a

JJi

learn.

sit in

Jtl

germinate.

boil.

patch.
have.

fly.

= to fight,
= to eat.
Ji = to awake.
J6 = to burn.

scratch.

drive.

wish, love.

F^ = to wash (clothes
Ge or ke =to cut.

KA = to
K6 =to
K^ =to

pick.

K6=to gather.
K$=to teach or
K6 = to die.
L4 = to split.

deny.

G^=to
G$=to

ensnare.

Gb$=to

= to

Fl = to swinu.

create, or cause.

Gbe-to
Qb^=to

Dfr

F4=to draw.
F = to want,

drop.
abuse.

Gbi = to

i.

ball).

read or count.
roar or bleat.

indulge, or cherish.
to salute.

Mi=to

breathe.

M^ = to
Mfi = to

take, or catch.

Ni=to
Ni=to
Nil

= to

Pa=to
P4=to

know.
spend.
have.
clean.
kill.

call.

go.

P$ = to

tarry.

beat.

P6=to

mix.

15

P$ = to vomit.

SECTION

NnrXS AND OTHER WORDS

Si.MiM.i-:

2.

!-<>K

CSK WITH TH1.

VERBS.
Well =kariga.
Garden =^

Me=mi.

Dog

aja.

Night = oru.

He = o, or DM.
Cow m&lu.
Yesterday = l'aii!i.

Door=il?kun.

Cloth =aij9.

Room=iyara.

Body=ara.

Beans = ere.

Plate =awo.

Farm

oko.

Water =omi.

Monkey =^9.

Mother =iya.
Child =91119.

Maize = agbado.

His or her=r$.

TwO = meji.
Street =ita.

Food = onJ9.

World = aiye.
Father =baba.
House = ile.
Animal
Load

Now = nisisiyi.

Town = Hu.

Enough == to.
Rope = okun.
To = si, and lati.
I=emi, mo (or

That or the=na.

Sheep

Their =

Request = ibere, ^b^.

Customary =ama.

Money =owo.

Stranger =alejo.

Very much=gidigidi.

Work =196".

Wood==igi.
Bird= <,!>',.

Horse =e?in.
To-day =l'oni.
For = fun, and

You or your = nyin.

Axe=ake.

Away = kuro.
and

Upon=l'ori.

With

Question =9ran.

Three =meta.

Box -apoti.

= eyi

or

yi.

nitori.

Boy = 9in9k9nrin.

Hawk = awodi.

Very much-=J9J9, pup9

future).

agutan.

ju.

ba,

p?lu.

Friend =9r^.

Nose=imu.
Take = niu. c.r muly.
River =od6.

17

Cap=fila.

Not = k6, or ki.

Both = mejeji.

Very good = daradara.

It

Boots = bata.

Thief =ole.

All=gbogbo.

Market =9J a.

= o.

Wound =9gb^.
Window =feres3.

Use=lil6.

Darkness = okunkvm.
Very much=biribiri.

Cut = jade.

Gun=ibpn.

Mouth =9nu
Egg = 9yin.

Do not=ma$e.

Paint =pda.

Idol=ori?a.

Five = marun.

Leaves = ewe.

Foot or feet=<?se.
These =wonyi.

Finished = tan.

Carefully

After =l9hin.

That=ki

Partridge = apard.

se),

or pe.

Red = pupa.

Thou=iw9.

= yio,

Head=ori.

Deed=ise.
Remain =duro.

(v.)

(ki

Headkerchief = gele.

Foul=merin.

Will

= 19391939.

or

A-going =lil9-

o.

Face=oju.

Daily =lojojum9.

Evening=ale.

SECTION

3.

SENTENCES SHOWING THE USE OF SIMPLE VERBS.

Ba = to meet.

B$ = to

entreat.

ba mi li 9na.
They met me on the way.
O b^ mi.

He
Bi = to beget.

B6 = to

B(J

= to

cover.

begged me.

Malu mi bi lana.
My cow calved yesterday.

a9 b6 ara.
Put cloth cover body.

Fi

clothes).

drop.

Awo
Plate

Bu = to

abuse.

Da = to make.

b9"

19W9 nii.
from my hand.

fell

lya bu 9m9 r^.

Mother abused her
Ol9run da aiye.

God made

child.

(the) world.

(Put

on your

IS

D6=to

Baba mi d6

arrive.

My
ensnare.

D$=to
Di = to
to

dl eru wpn.

Nwpn

tie.

encamp.

tied their loads.

Nwpn d6

tl ilu

They encamped

= to

deny.

Fi=to

draw.

F$=to

love.

Di

de eran kan.

Nwpn

They trapped an animal.

They

D6

ile.

father arrived home.

nS.

against the town.

O dii ibere mi.

He denied my request.
Owo li o fi fa a.
With money he draws him.
lya f^

91*19 r$ gidigidi.

The mother loves her

Fi=to

swing.

Igi

mo

ti

Wood
F6=to

Bird

F$=to wash

or scrub.

ke=to

G6, or

cut.

fi

Gba

t" puzzle.
to receive.

Gb6=to
Gb
Gbo

lift.

= to

excavate.

t" bark.

Gb$ = to

hear.

child very

am

carrying swings.

19.

flies

away.

ak6 ke

or clothes.

igi.

cut the tree with the axe.

Qran na g9" mi J9J9The question puzzles me very much.

Qk9nrin gb& owo r$.
The man received his money.
B4 mi gb6 apoti yi.
Help me lift this box.
Nw9n gb^ kanga li $gba.
They dug a well in the garden.
Aja gbo li oru ana.
The dog barked last night.

Mo

gb(? 9rij> ti o wi.

hear the word that you speak.
Ha ilekun iyara mi.
Lock the door (of) my room.
Awa he ere li oko.
We pick beans on farm.
Omi ho bi ?
Does the water boil ?

Hi=to

lock or bolt.

He=to

pick.

H6 = to

boil.

Hp=to

scratch.

Hu

to germinate.

J4 = to

fight.

Jp = to eat.

much.

nfl.

L9 f9 as9 nyin.
Go wash your cloth

He
GQ

that I

iye f6

fly.

nru

The monkey scratches

Agbado li o hu li oko.

his body.

Corn germinates on the farm.

Ajd meji li o j& ni ita.
Two dogs fight in the street.

Mo
I

f$ je onj^ nisisiyi.

want

(to) eat

food now.

19

Ji

= to

awake.

Ji

(fm<f na.

Wake
J6 = to burn.

Jp = to resemble.

Ju = to throw.

K& = to

read or count.

that child.

Ina ko jo to.
The fire does not burn enough.

Qmo na jp baba r$.

The child is like its father.
Ju okun si mi.
Throw a rope to me.
Ka

a ki emi gb<.
it that I (may) hear.
Agutan li o ke.

Read

K6 = to

roar, or bleat.

It

K = to

indulge.

is

a sheep which

Father
salute.

K6 = to

gather.

Kp = to

learn or teach.

Ku = to

die.

L = to

split.

Le = to

drive.

L$ = to patch.

Li=to have.
use.

mi.
in the habit of) indulges me.

(is

ki awpn alejo.
(and) salute the strangers.
K6 as9 ti o wa l'9gba.
Gather the clothes that are in the garden.

Lp
Go

K(j> lati

ma

se is

re.

Learn to do your work.

]sin r^ ku loni.
His (or her) horse died to-day.
Qkpnrin la igi fun wa.

The man split wood for us.

Qm9k9nrin 16 eran kuro.
The boy drove the animals away.
Ba mi 1^ as9 yi.
Help me patch this cloth.

Mo
I

L6 = to

bleats.

Baba ama k^

li
as9 meta.
have three cloths.

Mo

owo mi fun u.
my money for him.
0r^ mi ama 19 si oko r.

16

used

Lp = to

go.

Lu = to

beat.

Ki o

Mi=to

breathe.

Mp = to

(That you) take wood (to) beat it (or him).

Imu li a fi nmi.
(With the) nose it is we breathe.

know.

My friend
fi

(is

igi

accustomed) goes to his farm.

lii

u.

Mo

1119 9m9 na.

know that child.
Mu esm 19 si od6.

Mu=to

take.

Nd=to

spend.

Ni=to

have.

Take the horse to the stream.

Mo na gbogbo owo mi.
I spent all my money.

Mo
I

Nu = to

clean.

Mo
I

ni

fila

meji daradara.

have two very good caps.

f^

want

nu bata

mi.

(to) clean

my

boots.

20

Pa = to

Pa adir

kill.

IV

to call,

Pfc

',"119

my

C:ill

Ma

to tarry,

P*

rm-ji

1'oni.

two fowls to-day.

Kill

p$

mi wa.
child (to) come.

li

9Ja.

Do
P6

to mix.

P*

to vomit.

not tarry at the market.

P6 $da fun H16.

Mix
"

Ra =to buy.

Re = to

R$ =to

fall off

be

(the) paint for use.

Emi

as leaves.

tired.

9 jade kuro li enu mi.

''spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev. 3. 16.
o

Ra eyin adie marun,

Buy five eggs to-day.
Ewe igi li o re tan.

= to

see.

Mo

relate.

Nw9n

R6 = to
Ri)
Rii

= to
= to

ri

86== to

S== to
Si= to

They

r9

ki

a duro.
to remain.
yi.

carry this load.

air.
Sa as9 mi Iojojum9.
Air my clothes every day.
cook.
Se onje li ale yi.
Cook food this evening.
deny,
Gbogbo W9n li o s$ e.
All of them (it is) denied him for it),
be.
Always used with the negative participle ko="not."

to be tired of.

do.
sin.

Si=to open.

will

lya mi k6 si.
My mother is not (i.e. dead).
50 igi mejeji p<J>.
Tie (the) two sticks together.
Nw9n 39 9r9 na fun wa.

They spake the word

sii mi J9J91

Sa=to wound.

8$ = to

wa

carry.

speak.

e=to

fallen.

partridges.
r6 ise W9n fun wa.
related their deeds to us.

They urged us
Iw9 yio rii erii

89=
=

all

me.
aparo merin.

Nw9n

tie.

86=

oni).

tires

urge.

So= ;to
ti>

(li

saw four

You

Sd== to

loni

(The) leaves (of) the tree are

Ise li o r$ mi.

Work
Ri

p<;>

I will

am

Olo

li

to us.

very tired of it.

o sa a l9gb9.

A thief (it is) wounded

O se ise r^ tAn.
He has done his work.

him.

Qkonrin na li o s^ mi.
That man offended me.
51 ilekun ati ferese.

Open the door and window.

21

6 = to be stubborn.

$0 = to watch.

ma

gidigidi.

very stubborn.

is

39 ara yin.

(You should) watch yourselves.

= to

ft

Qni9 na so
That child

get dark.

Okunkun

su

biribiri.

Darkness gathers, very much.

Ti=to

Mo

sell.

(It is

very

dark. )
f^ ta ib9n mi.

want to sell my gun.

Orisa ti nw9n (or sin) ko gb(?.
Idol they worship does not hear.

Te = to worship.

T$ = to trample.

Mase

Do
Ti

= to

push or shut.

t$

T<J

= to

in rows.

straighten.

li

ese.

To

feet.

(the) door before

W9nyi leselese.

you go

out.

igi

Place these sticks in a row carefully.

Ki o se 9na na t9.
(That you) make that path straight.
Tii eran na sile.
Loose that animal.

Tu = to

loosen.

Wd=to

come.

Wa

twist.

Come unto me.

Fi gele we e 1'ori.

We = to

my

Ti ilekun ki o to jade.

Shut

T6 = to place

mi

not trample on

S9d9 mi.

Twist a headkerchief on hor head.

W$ = to wash.
Wi = to say.

L9 w^ li odo.
Go and wash

W6 = to

look.

Wa

W$=to

put on.

W9

Wu = to

please.

Qm9 na wu mi J9J9That child pleases me very much.

Y& = to

give way.

Ye=to

lay eggs.

Y$ = to postpone.
Yi = to turn.

Y$=to

rejoice.

O wi
He said

b(j>

in the stream.

fun mi.
so to me.

wo oko mi.
Come and look

(at)

my

farm.

as9 pupa 1'oni.

Put on red clothes to-day.

Ya

l9"na fun mi.

Give way for me.
Adi^ y6 eyin kan.
The hen laid an egg.

Lil9

mi y$

lana.

going was postponed yesterday.

Yi igi kuro loju cpna.
Turn (or roll) the wood out of the way.

My

Wa

ba mi y9, $r^ mi.

rejoice with me,

Come

my

friend.

22

SECTION

4.

EXTENDED LIST OF SIMPLE VERBS, CLASS

Bu = to

Ba=to

hide.

B4 = to

bend.

perch.
B$ = to leap, or cut
(e.g. ) Nwpn b$ e

They cut

Bl=to
B6 = to
B$ = to

Bu=to

(e.g.

b<J>

off.

off

my

clothes.

boil, or to return.

bind.
lessen (as pain).

broil.

Fd=to

shave.
O fa ori ati

(e.g.)

Di=to become.

(e.g.

cackle.
Gb
Gb9=to dry up.
(e.g. ) Odo na gbe
t

river

dry.

is

ho.

The water
Ja

!<>

(e.g.)

pull

up

break,

boils.

or disinter.

or jump.

Aiya mi

My

or shout.

boil,

peel,

Hu = to

(with heat).

ripen.

Omi na

blowing.

F6=to be lonely.
F$=to break (vessels).
Gbi=to sweep.
Gb6=to be or to inhabit.

The

Gb$ = to flourish.
BIa=to bruise.

H6 = to

distend.

Fi=to dry

Mo di eni nla.
I am become

Gb6 = to
ojii.

Afefe nf$.
is

di pna na.
closed that road.

person.
Du = to scramble.

blow.

Wind

F$=to

lessened.

idols.

He shaves head and face.

F$=to

Nwpn

They
(with)

is

Di = to close up.

(e.g.

Bu=to

to the

die.

d$

It (pain)

him.

(e.g.

(e.g.)

(e.g.

worship

silr.
it off (lit.

D$ = to

(hands).

O b$ 9 !<>w$.
He shook hands

Bp = to

off.

O da a
He cast

D6 = to

asp lara mi.

took

scarce.

cast

ground).

feed.

B$=to shake
(e.g.)

head.

off his

peel, or strip.

He
B^ = to

D&=to

lori.

push.

mildew.

D& = to be

off.

B$=to remove or take

(e.g.

dip or lade (liquids or

solids.

B4=to

i.

ja.

heart quak*

-.

J$ followed by ki=to permit,

(e.g. ) J? k'a lp sile.
Let us go home.
Jf

= to

steal.

tan.

Jl=to

forgive.

completely

J6=to

dance.

let.

23

J6 = to

Ku = to

leak.

Jp = please.
(e.g.

(e.g.

remain over.
Isu

li

little

ku

diq.

yam

remains.

Jp ^e gafara fun mi.

Please excuse me.

La = to appear.
= the sun appears.
(e.g. Orun la

reap.

La=to

cry out.

Le = can or may, or

Ka=to
Ke=to

K$ = to set a trap.
K? = to grow worse.
Ki = to press tight.
K6 = to confront.
Kp = to refuse or decline.
K$ = to clasp.

Mi=to

Mp = to
MQ = to

Mu = to
Mu = to
Na=to
Na = to
Ni=to

L<J

= to

able.

le se e.

can do

it.

lazy.

transplant.

Lp = to

grind.

Lu=to
Lu = to
Mi=to

dilute.

bore.

swallow.

rub, quench, hatch or

win.

be clean, or holy.
drink.

be sharp

(as

knife).

flog.

spread.
say.
ni

= It

is I.

loose.

Ri = to sink.

R6 = to
Ro = to
Ro = to

L$=to be

build.

Emi

Mo

Pa = to

tremble.

Ni = to be.

Nu=to

(e.g.)

lick.

P6=to be complete
Pp=to be plentiful.
Ra = to putrify.
Ra=to creep.
Re = to go.
Re = to curse.
R^ = to agree, to be

R = to

shear.

Rf = to

dye.

gp=to

set

(e.g.

sound.
hoe.

ache.

Rp = to wither.
Rp = to rain. Ojonr9 = It rains.
Ru = to stir up.
Sa = to escape.
Se = to shut.
g = to strain.
S = to throw.

(perfect).

friendly.

down.

O 39 eru kale.
He set down (the)

Su = to break out

load.

(as pimples).

a = to pick.
^

= to

i= to

break.
miss.

O sina = He missed

the way.

Ta = to

kick.

TQ=to

urinate.

Tu = to

ease

Wa = to

seek.

(as

of

pain).

24

Wa = to
Wi = to

W6 = to
(e.g.)

fall

W6 = to
W6 = to

U1 "

fell

hcfittin-.'.

Y6 = to be full.
Yp = to melt.

Orun wp = The

set.

pa rate.

si

'

the

to

be crooked.

sun

Ya=to

a tree or wall)
na wo lul<,-.

wall

to

Ye to understand.
Ye to live.
Ye = to be worthy or
yir=to be tough

(as

Ogiri

The

W$ = to
Wu=to

Ya=

dig (a hole).
singe.

Yo

to

sets.
(e.g.

enter.

yp wa kuro

He

swell.

lo\\o rr.

us

delivered
his hands.

from

tear.

SECTION

5.

VERBS WHICH EXPRESS EXISTENCE.

These verbs are

mbe; wa
1.

ya

je

ri

di

se

gbe

si;

and

li

or

in.

Mbe, expresses absolute existence

(e.g.) God is = Ql9run mbe.
It answers the question

How

is

he ?

Mb$=(he)
2.

Wa,

is.

not quite so emphatic

(e.g. ) Is he there ?
is

wi = he

is.

3.

Ya, expresses existence under special conditions

(e.g.) He is dumb=O ya odi.

4.

Je,

He
is

is

lazy

=O

ya

perhaps the most

"

the place of
(e.g.

pie.

common

verb of the ten.

It takes

"

and " are."

It is mine = O je temi, or Temi ni.
You are my people = ?nyin je enia mi.
Two and two are four = Eji ati eji j? ^rin.
is

It also denotes ownership

The money
5.

Ri,

6.

Di, to

is

is

yours =Owo je

ti

nyin.

used with an adverb

(e.g.) Is it

so? = o

ri

bf

bi

become

(<.'.!.)

He

will

become a great person -On yio

di enia nla.

2f>

7.

fjie,

this
(e.g.

verb

as useful as

is

Whose

mine = Temi

It is

"
je,"

and akin

to

it

this? = Titani eyi ise?

is

ni

ise.

Gbe, to be, or to reside in a place

I lived there one year = Mo gbe ibe l'9dun kan.
(e.g.
It is also used with other verbs and follows an adverb of place
Where is it? = Nibo li o gbe wa ?
(e.g.

8.

verb is reserved for use with the negative particle

ko " to express non-existence
(e.g. ) There is no money=Owo ko si.
Father is not at home = Baba ko si ni ile (nle).

9.

"

10.

Si, this

Li or

ni, is

(e.g.

used in conjunction with other verbs

it is who will do it = On ni eniti yio se

He

Who

is

it? = Ta ni

= Emi

It is I

e.

ni.

SECTION

6.

NOTES ON NUMBER.
Number

Gender

and Case are dealt with at

to

The
1.
and W9nni

plural

(e.g.

number

Awon

assist

Ilu

is

in

formed by the use

"

of

2.

wpnyi

hills.

is

"

wpnyi

"

and

Numerals are
(e.g.

plural ized by reduplication

Qgorun = a hundred.
Qgorprun = hundreds.
lj}gberun

=a

IjJgbegberun
3.

awpn

baba = the fathers.

used with animate objects, and

"
"
with inanimate objects.
wpnni

Aw9n

stage

wpnyi= these towns.

Oke wpnni = those

"

this

translation.

Members

feet, etc.,

of the

thousand.

= thousands.

body which

exist in pairs as eyes

hands

are used in the singular mostly

(e.g.)

Oju

mi=my

eyes.

Qw$ wpn = their

you wish to speak
mejeji=both is used as
If

hands.

specially of both eyes, or both

oju mejeji, etc.

hands,

26

NOTES ON GENDERS.
Gender where

By

1.

it is

not at once apparent

(e.g.

shown

is

adding the words pkpnrin = man

and

in

two ways.

obirin

woman.

Boy = Qmp-pkpnrin (Ompkpnrin).

Girl- Omp-obirin (Ompbirin).
Manservant = Iranse-9k9nrin (Iransek9nrin).

Maidservant = Iranse-obirin (Iransebirin).

By the use of the masculine and feminine prefixes, ako = male

abo = female
2.

(e.g.)

Horse = Akp

Mare = Abo
Bull = Ak9

esin.
esin.

in:

III.

Cow = Abo main,

Some words

3.

(e.g.)

common

are

etc.

both genders

to

ljlgbpn= elder, applied to any older relative, male

or female.

AbutO= younger,

applied to any younger relative,

male or female.

Ana = relations
Ibeji

= twins

of both sexes

by marriage.

of either sex.

NOTES ON CASE.
The nominative or subject

1.

of the

verb

is

always placed before

the verb
(e.g.

Awpn

enia

The objective case

2.

lp

= the

people have gone.

known by

In most instances

Its position.

(a)

ti

is

it

follows the governing

word
(e.g.)

But

Mo

f$ aburo

in other instances

mi=I

love

my

brother.

precedes the governing word

a o rl = thee it is we shall see.
it

Iwo li
The mode of address shows the speaker and the person

(e.g.)

(b)

spoken to
(e.g.)

Iwp pkonrin yi=you

this

man

(i.e.)

you who are

near me.

This

is

Iwp pkpniin na=you that man.

of address and is quite

common mode

respectful.

27

name

3.
The possessive case is shown by the
following that of the thing possessed

Owo baba=money (of)

Owo baba mi=money

(e.g.)

father's

of the possessor

father.

mine

father

(of)

my

(i.e.)

money.
"

" of
to use the preposition
ti
horse
of
ti
balogun
(e.g.) ]j]m
balogun (war chief).

Another way

is

Iwe

yi j?

=
t'emi = this

Fila yi ki i?e

ti

book

aburo mi

SECTION

mine.

is

this

cap

not

is

my brother's.

7.

TKANSLATION. (FOR CORRECTION SEE SECTION

22.

lya mi k6

23.

Ologbo

2.

Awpn 9in9de ko tpju asp wpn.

Baba fi owo fun pmp r$.

3.

Fila

24.

Ewur^

4.

Tiyin ni pako wpnyi.

lya won ran wpn.

25.

Aburo mi

26.

7.

Nwpn nlu agogo ile pkp wa.

Mo ti ri ekeji mi ati aja rp.

27.

He ^u biribiri.
Kini se ti pmp na

8.

Mu

28.

Orun nran

9.

Baba wpn

1.

5.
6.

10. Ise

kd
11.
12.

15.

ni

ti

emi.

iwe re wa.
fi

asp fun wpn.

wa soro, sugbpn

ise

nyin

rp

wpn

Mo

Tiyin li owo na.

17. Fi iwe mi fun mi.
ara

ile

wa

Wo

k6 de

ile

li

meta

asp

nyin.
dara-

o se e

li

fi

nke rara?

baibai.

baun

awpn pmp,

bi

nwpn

ti

oko

Nwpn nwpn agbado

20.

Aburo mi wa ni ile r^.

Pako rp yi ma dara ju temi

wpn.

li

asp

ti

o ppn

Enia pp jpjp leba odo.

34.

Orun mii janjan

35.

Qmpde na njo dukeduke.

Bi mo ti mbp wa, lojiji 6jo

bprp
37.

wpn.

l^gbpn mi

rokiroki.

36.
lp si

19.

21.

Emi

30.

33.

ti kp pkp mi.
Oju mi ri imple.

Awpn

29.

32.

l^run.

16.

18.

loni.

nyara kankan.
31. Aja na roro gidigidi.

Alejo de ile wa loni.

Oko re jina bi 1

wpn ko

yi

agutan r^

gbe.

dara.

soro.

13. Ise
14.

na

ri

wa

8.)

si rp.

Lojojump

afi

loni.

Qjp

li

isimi.

awa

nip

si

oko,

SECTION

8.

KEY TO TRANSLATION
The

1.

do not take

children

Father gives money to his

3.

That cap

4.

These boards are yours.

Their mother sent them.
They are ringing our school

6.

mine.

is

bell.

7.

saw

my

companion and

Bring your book.

9. Their father gives clothes to
them.
but
10. Our work is difficult
;

is

yours

not

Stranger

difficult.

came

to our house

to-day.

your farm far ?

Their work is not easy
Is

13.

for

them.

have learnt

my

lesson.

15.

My

16.
17.

Yours is the money.

Give my book to me.

18.

The people

went

This goat (does) not come

(to)

your house.

My

25.

eyes see light.

of

our

are

My

sister)

younger
is

has

very dark

(at eventide).
that child cry

What makes

27.

so loudly
28.

The sun

29.

How

30.

Look

is shining dimly.
did I do it ?

(at) the children,

how

quickly they move.

31.

That dog

32.

My

is

very

fierce.

elder (brother or sister)

has cloth that

Many

is

people

very yellow.
(are)

by the

The sun

WiS
(

18

/)

very

hot

to-day.

house

35.

(brother

The

very
36.

weighing

in his house.

(brother or
three beautiful

younger

cloths.

34.

to their farm.

They

is lost.

side of river.

(or

As

children

are

or

dancing

well.

was coming, suddenly

began to rain.
37. Every day we are going to
farm, except (on the) day
it

measuring) their com.

20.

Our cat

24.

33.

14.

19.

23.

26. It is

8.

12.

mother (does) not see

My

22.

sister)

his dog.

11.

better than

is

her sheep to-day.

child.

5.

Your board

21.

7.

mine.

care of their clothes.

2.

SECTION

IN

of rest (Sabbath).

PART

III.

NOUNS GROUPED AND CLASSIFIED

IN ALPHABETICAL

ORDER.

SECTION

1.

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSE AND NATIONAL LIFE.

Aborigines = ibil 9.
Alien = ajeji;

Grass = ikoriko.

Grave =iboji.

alejo.

At mcsphere = orufurufu

Growth = idagbasoke.
Hail = yinyin.

(or

ofurufu).

Heat = oru.

Black man=enia dudu.

Brass = id 9.

Breeze = at9giin.

Heaven=9ranrHiU=6ke.

Calnness=i

Iron=irin.
Island = ereku^u.

2^=91^.

= aralu.
Cloud = aw9sanma.
Copper = baba.

Kingdom =

Citizen

9ba.

Lake = adagun.
Lagoon =9sa.
Language =ede.
Law=ofin.
Leaves=ew6.

Creator =?leda.

Creature =<?da.

Council = igbim9.
Councillor =9ni igbim9.

Country = 119.

Crown =ade.

Lightning = manamana.
Mineral =ohun ti a wa

Customs = bode.
Darkness = okunkun.

Mist=ikuku.

Dawn = af 9m9Jum9

bi

Dew=iri.
Earth = aiye.
Flower = ltanna.

wura,

irin, etc.

Month =ou.

Day = 9J<?.

.-

Moon=o?upa.
Mountain =6ke

giga.

Nation = oril9-ede.
Night =6ru.

Forest = igbo.

Noon = 9sangangan.

Fresh water =omi tutu.

Prince =91119 alade.

God=Ol9run.

Palace =afin.

Gold = wura.

Governor = bal 9 Gomina.

= ayaba,

Qba-obirin.

30

Rainbow = 6$umare.

Sun = 6run.

Rock=apata.
Salt water = omi

Throne = it? 9ba

Thunder Am.

iy9.

= atuk9.
Sceptre = 9pa 9ba.
Seed = irugbin.
Shadow = ojiji.
Silver = fadaka.
Soldier = agunj agun.

Tin = tanganran.

Sailor

Town = llu.
Tree

= igi.

Valley = afonifoji.
Village =ileto.

Water = omi.

Stars =iraw9.

Stone = okuta.

World = aiye.

Storm = lji;

Year=9duii.

$fufu lile.
Spring = orisun omi.

SECTION

2.

RELATING TO DOMESTIC LIFE.

Domestic animals =?ran 93 In.

Bed=ibusun.

Bedroom = iyara ibusun.

Book = iwe.
Bottle

Dust, or dirt =

= lgo.

Boy = 9m9k9nrin.

Father = baba.

Bread = akara.

Fire=ina.

or ekuru.

Fish = ^ja.

Broom =9W9.
Butter =ori wara

Floor = ilc?16

ori-am^.

Calabash =igba.

Fruit =eso.

Cap=fila.
Cat = ologb6.

Girl

Carpet =3^9

eri,

Eggs - eyiii.

(il9-ile).

= 9m9birin.
Grindstone =919.

House, or home=ile.

il?.

Ceiling^ aj a.

Husband =9k9.

Chair = aga.

Knife =9b^.

Children = 9m9<le.

Lamp=fitila.

Clock, or bell=agogo.

Man

Clothes =a9.

Matches = iana.

Coal=edu.

Cup = ago.
Dining room = iyara
nj^un.

ibiti

or

Marriage = igbeyawo.
Milk = wara.

Dog=aja.

Mortar = od6

Doll = 91119 -langi.

Mother =iya.

(for

pounding).

31

Needle =ab?re.

Service

Neighbour = aladugbo.
Pestle = 9m9-od6.

= ism.

Shelf =pepe.

Sieve

= as 9.

Piazza =<?d$d9.
Picture

= aworan.

Spoon =-f?ibi.

Plate =awo.

Pocket = apo
Relations

Paper

= ana,

takada.

= koroba.
Wall = ogiri.

wu.

Pail

ibatan.

Wie=-aya.

Room = iyara.

Well = kanga.

Saucepan =ikoko.

Window = ferese.

Servant = 9m9"d9 (91119-949).

SECTION

3.

RELATING TO RELIGIOUS AND Civic LIFE.

Barbarian = alaigbede.

= idaj 9 619.
Minister = iranse, or alufa.
Justice

Bank=ile owo.
Bible

= Bibe!i.

Moslem = imale.

Bridge = afar a (afa).

Mosque = ni9salasi.

= ilu 9ba.
Civil chief = Ba$9run.

Museum = ile

Capital

Civil questions =9ran

Civilization

isura.

Newspaper = iwe
ilii.

= ilaju.

irohin.

Notice = iwe akiyesi.

Policeman = 9l9pa.

Church = He -Ol9run.

Police station =ile 9l9pa.

Commandment

Port = ebute.

a^^.

Prayer =adura.

Decalogue =ofin
Doctor = oni^egun.
Editor = ak9 we iwe irohin.

Public building = ile apeJ9

Pulpit = aga iwasu.

= aw9n agba.
Fetters =
Herald = akede.
High way = 9na
Hospital = ile alarun.
Hymn = orin.
Idol = ori^a.
Idolatry = is in orisa.
Improvements = itun?e.

Religion = is in.

Elders

Judge=onidaJ9.

Registrar =ak9 we

11

u.

ilu.

Secretary =ak9we.

opopo.

Sermon =9r9 iwasu.

Society

= 9gb<?.

Student =ak9k9".
Subjection=it?riba.

Taxes = owode (owo-ode).

Teacher = olukcpni.

Temple = ile-orisa

ile-Ql9run.

SECTION

4.

RELATING TO TRADES AND COMMERCE.

Maiket = 9Ja.

Account --i^iro ow6.

Axe = ake.

= epo.

Balance = i^ikh ow6.

Palm

Bamboo = aparun,

Pincers = %mu.

ppa, pako.

Plank

Barrel=agba.
Blacksmith alagb v
Build er= ample,

oil

>,

pako, patako.

Potter

= am9kok(

> .

Price =iye.

9111916.

= ere.

Buyer =olura, olubara.

Profit

Carpenter = gbenagbena.

Roof = 6rule.

Rope = okun.
Clerk = ak9we.

Cement = am9

Salt=iy9.
simenti

lile,

Commerce = iijowo.
Cowries = owo 979.

Sawyer = agb9gi, ala-patnk>.

Seller =olut a.

Craftsman = oni^na.
Factory =ile 199.
Fare = owo 9k9.

= ile-9Ja.

Shovel = 9k<

oyinbo.

= 9ru 9k9.
Goods = ohun tita.
Hammer = old.

Skins = aw9.

Kernels =ekur9'.

Street =ita, popo.

Labourer = alagba?e, or

Sugar = iy9-oyinbo.
Trader = oni^owo.

Freight

Specie = o\v6.
Spirits = 9ti kikan.

Ladder =akas9.
Ledger =iwe owo.

Trades =i?9na.
Train = 9k9l9
Vehicle = k9k9.

Loss = 6fo.

Machinery =9r9.

Manager =olori

9ga.

Wages = owo
Weaver =

SECTION

i^

5.

RELATING TO FARM AND COUNTRY LIFE.

Ant = era; eriin.
Banana = 9g9d9.
Basket = agb9n.

Beans = ere.
Bird =9179.

Branch = 9ka

igi.

= ijanu.
Bush pig = 9ya.
Camel = ibakasi9.
Cassava = gbaguda,

Bridle

33

= ibaka.

Cocoanut = agb9ii.
Cotton = 6\vu.

Orange = orombo.

Corn = agbado.

Palm tree=igi

Cow = malu.

Partridge

= aparo.

Crocodile =9111.

Cutlas=ada,

Pawn=iw9fa.

Deer = agbpiirin.

Pepper = ata.

Donkey = kft^k9t<;'.
Dove = adaba, oriri.

Pigeon =?iye?le.
Pineapple =9P<? oyinbo.

Elephant = ajanaku

criu.

Powder =?tu.
Rat-trap = itakute.

Farm = oko.
Farmer = aroko
agb?.
Farmhouse = abule.

Road, or path=9na.
Root = gbongbo.

Field^ papa.

Saddle =gari.

Sandals = salubata.

Fowl=adi<?.

Shepherd = darandaran,

olu$a-

gutan.

Garden = 9gba,

Sheep = agu tan.

Shot=9ta.

Groundnut = <?pa.

Slave =?ru.

Guinea-corn =9ka baba.

Snake =ejo.

Guinea-fowl = etii, awo.

Soil=il?.

Spinach =?f 9.

Herbs = e web 9.

Squirrel

Hippopotamus = erin omi.

Stable =ile-fin.

= 9k ^r^.

Sugar cane=ireke.

Tobacco = taba.

Horse =^in.

Hunter =9d^.
Hyaena =ikoko.

Lemon = orornbo
Leopard =9kim.

Lime = orombo
Lizard = alamu.

Monkey = 9b9.

Turkey = tolotolo.
kikan.

Weeds =epo.
Wild animals = ^ranko

Worm = kokoro.
Yam=i?u.

SECTION

6.

RELATING TO POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS.

Acquittal

Appeal = at ii ii here
Assassin

ouitubu.

Jailor

Adjournment = iijil
Ambassador =ikp 9ba.
Amity =i?9r^.
Amnesty =ifiji ^l^wpn.
Ammunition =ohun ija.
^9.

apania.

Assignment = iyansil 9.
Assault = ik9lu.

Banishment = 116jade.

Judgment = idaj 9.
Judicial

ti

= a9

Jury = ema

inejila

Nullification

911! 1(,'J9.

= is9

di

6fo.

Oath = ibura.
Obedience= igl>9i-ai>.
Office

Palaver =

Conviction=idal9bi.
Defalcation = i j io wo.

ida

ti

Message = i.f 9 riran.

Messenger = iran9.

Boundary =ala

Commissioner = aj 9! 9.

lori.

Lawyer = amofin.

Bequest = ifi ogun fun.

119.

onidajy.

Jurisdiction

= iyara.
ija

ak9\ve, <y'-.

^9.

Peace =alafia.
Per jury = ibura ek6.
Plaintiff

= olufisun.

Defamation = idulumc?.
Defendant = oludahun.

Prisoner =onde, 9l9\v'9n.

Province = igberiko.

Disobedience = aigb9ran.

Rape

District

= agbegbe.

J9.

Residency =il

Enemy =9ta.

Treaty =adehim.

Exile =isansa.

Falsehood =ek6

wundia

il'a

Reply = idahun.

ir<J.

Treasurer =ohit9Ju

Fight =ija.

o\\-6,

Term=akoko.
Flag=asia.

Theft=old.

Flagstaff =9pa asia.

Truth= otit9.
Ultimatum =opin

Friend =^9.
Gazette =iwe 9ba.

= ebi.
= tubu,

Guilt
Jail

ile

War == ogun.
War cry=ipe
Witness =

9F9.

ogun.

9! 9ri.

nlapo.

35

SECTION

7.

RELATING TO ANATOMY AND DISEASES.

Abscess = bu 19.

Anatomy = ip in

Haemorrhage $? j ?.
Head=ori.
Head-ache =ori fif9.

ara.

Ankle = kokos^.

Arm=apa.

Heart =pkan.

Back=(?hin.

Hearing =igb9.

Backbone =egungun
Bladder =apo

Blood =

tfhin.

itp.

= if un
= orike.

Intestines

Joint

Body = ara.

Leg =<?s.
Leprosy =?t^.

<?je.

Bone= egungun.

Lips=ete.

Boil=owo.

Liver =?d9.

Brain =

Lungs =$d9foro.

mudunmudim.

Breast =9mu.

Cheek =<?rek4Chest = aiya.

Colic

= inurirun.

Consumption = aruu ^dpfor

Convalescence = iwosau.

Medicine =6gun, egbogi.

Mind = inu.
Mouth =(?nu.
Muscle =i?aii
= ekanna.

Nails

Diarrhoea = $iunu.

Neck=9run.
Nerve =i?au
Nose=imu.

Cough = ikp.

inu.

111

Digestion =dida onj^.

Palate =i

Disease =arim.

Patient

Dose = iwpn. oguii.

Dropsy = asunkun.

Rheumatism = lakuegbe.

= alaisan.

Respiration = imisinusode

Rib=egunguii

Dysentery =9rin.
Ears=eti.

Side=iha,

Elbow = igb9iiw9.

Sight

Eyes = 9yin oju.

Eyelid = ipenpeju.
Face = oju.

ilia.

= iriraii.

Sinew=i?an
Sense =im9.
Shoulder =ejika.

Faeces =igb<?.

Skeleton = egungun ara.

Fever =iba.

Skin=aw9

Finger =ika QW$.

Flesh = ^ran ara.

Skull =agbari.

ara.

Sore=egb6.

Foot = ?s 9.

Spleen =919 inu.

Guinea-worm = sobia.

Stomach =apo

Hair = irun.

Smallpox =ilegb9na,
Taste =it9\v6.

oiij^ inu.
f

3H
Teeth

Touch- if^kan

chin.

Urine =

(if<,>\vc,>kim).

Thigh nun.
Throat yfun.

Vein

Thumb

Wrist = 911111 pw^.

atampako.

Tongue = ah<^n.

119.

Tim i vj(,\

Wound =9gb$.

Toes =91119 v s v-

SECTION

8.

RELATING TO THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL QUESTION-.

Faith - igbagbc?.
Adoption =
=maleka.
Fall (the) = i*?ubu i-nia.
Angel
Fellowship
Argument = ijiyan.
idapi).
Atonement = etutu.
Fidelity =619.
i

Attribute =lwa ^ni.

Finality

Baptism it ^bomi, iBarni.

Benevolence =it9r^> ami.

Fundamental truth

9iia gbigba.

Confession =

Counsel

Coveteousness^ ojukok6ro.

=^9

Hva

it

11111119.

an

^ni.

nature =iwa enia.

ara aiye.

Humility = ir^l 9 9kan.

Image = aworan.
Immutability = aiyipada.

?ri.

Death = iku.

Inspiration = imisi.

Depravity == iwabuburu.

Interpretation

Descendant = 9m9 -91119.

Institution

Discipline =t9, ibaiiiwi.

Intermediate

Divine nature =iwa

ti

O^run.

i.?v

= it ump.

i^bt'kal^.

idasil*,-.

state^=iwa

Ivliin

iku.

Justification = idalare.

Doctrine =?k9.

Duty

M 11119.

l^mi

Spirit

Humanity

impran.

Credentials

Holy

Human

pkAii.

<?ri

Conversion = iyipada.

iwa-bi-O^irun.

History

ew9.

Conscience

ipil<>.

= ore.

Goodness
Holiness

Church=iJ9.
Conditions

<>tito

mb9.

ti

iy>

Godliness
Kristi.

ti

life

Grace = 6re-9fe.

ilana.
Canon = ofin
Character =iwa.

Christianity =isin

Future

<>piii.

s '"-

Life=lye.
Lord's Supper=Onj^

Effects ==eso.

Eternity == aiyeraiye.

Evangelist =ojiiji^ ihinrere.ajihin-

Mankind ~ ara aiye

Mediator - onilaja.
Mercy = anu.

revo,
M

soke.

Exaltation

in

Existence of

God=iwa

ti

Mission=ii?9

isoji.

Ministry = i?9 alufa.

A
(araiye).

Reward = ere.

i^9 iyanu.
Morality = iwa rere.

Righteous = eiiia

Moral law=ofin iwa.

11111119,

Ordination = iya-sptp.

Sabbath=Qjo-isimi.
Sacred writings =iwe

Origin = ipile;?e.

Succession =119! ehin.

Salvation = igbala.

Pastor = alabojuto

Saviour = Olugbala.

ijp.

Perfection = iwa pipe.

Perseverance =

11111119.

= is9diiniiii9.

Omnipotence =lagbara julp.

Omnipresence = iwa nibi gbogbo.
Omniscience =l9gb9ii jul?.

Sanctification

olododo-.

Sacrifice =9^9.

Sin

= ?*??.

if oriti.

Personality = iwa enia.

Testimony = 91

Preacher = oniwasu.
Privilege = anfani.

Theology = iiH

Prophet = woli.
Providence = ipese

Trinity

= Metal9kan.

Triumph=

siJe ti

Q^run.

Punishment = ij eniya.
Redeemer = Olurapada.

is? ?gun.
Trust = igbekele.

Union = idap9in9.
Universe = 9run on
Virtue = iwa rere.

Redemption = irapada.
Regeneration = at unbi.

Wicked

Repentance = ironupiwada.

Wisdom = 9gb9"n.

Resurrection = ajinde.

Wrath = ibinn.

aiye.

the ) = enia buburu.

Revelation= ifihan.

SECTION

9.

SENTENCES FOR DAILY USE.

Bring hot water for bath = Mu omi gbi 'gbona

wa

lati

fi

w^.

Go buy oranges and bananas = L9 ra orombo ati 9g^d^.

Air the clothes and sweep the room = Sa 8^9, ki o si gba iyara.
Give corn and water to the horse =Fi agbado ati omi fun e^in.
Saddle the horse =Di ^in ni gari.

Dust the things and scrub the

Clean

my

How many
How much
10.

11.

= Ki

o nu nkan, ki
dan bata mi.

si fip ile.

eggs did you buy to-day ? = Iyin melo li o ra loni ?

you pay for these fowls ? = Elo li o san fun adi?

did

Prepare food for four persons this evening = Pese onje

enia merin lale

12.

floor

boots quickly = Kiakia, ki o

sil?

fun

yi.

Expect me back at six O'clock ^Ki 9 ma reti mi li ago mefa.

Come with me to salute the king=Wa ba mi 19 ki 9ba.

38

l.'!.

and

Call the carriers

us go

let

awnu

fun mi

i\M'

a\\nn alaru.

!''

books to

Tell the clerk to biing the

me

\Vi fun

si

is.

how much will you sell this cloth ? Rl<>

Do not make a noise there Masr j>ariwn niix,-.
Come early in the morning Larv kutukutu ni ki
Do not forget to do the work I gave you Ma 7

U>.

mo fun
How many

2o.
-1.

li

\\a.

>.

ti

(|

so.

1'aku mrl<> ni

boards will the job require?

isr na.

in to

'.'

!<' koriko l^gbe oju yna.

Cut the grass by the side of the path
Remind me that your master is expecting me Ran mi ti. |><-.
l<

ma

yio

reti

mi

(rau-leti

= to

remind).

What are you doing there? Kil'o no nil>v

Do not stay long at market = Ma?e duro ]>< lyja.

24.

Be Sure

20.

ta

^iia^i..- is

23.

2.").

mu

aso

<>

<,-

ogboni
22.

19.

<>

\va.

For

fun

U'a
Ui

j<;

akowr.

Masai ra akara
that you buy bread to-day
)ana.
Light the fire and cook some food at once
lojukanna.
Is the food ready P^Onj? ya bi ?
I

21.

Come and

28.

am

eat

thirsty,

Wa

jyun

make some

1'oni (hn-adi).
ki

<>

so onjv

si

= Ongb^ ngb?

tea quickly

mi, ki

<>

tea, kiakia.

30.

Stand upright
Don't be slack

31.

Show me

29.

32.

33.
:u.

Dide naro

(at

work)

-Ma

jafara, or

Bring the gun and ten cartridges

I

37.

am

too busy to attend to you

Mu

now

= Xje,

Well, what have you decided to do ?

41.

You are very kind -O sjeun J9J9.

Come and help me do this work \Va,
fje isjv

43.

ii>9n ati

I*v ndi

Tell

kini o

ki

si

your father to come and talk with

i> \\a
lui mi S9r9.

Come and

\\,i

nn,\\ii

nku

19^-9 na.

r(-

piimu

ran mi

ki

lat

>i

>

>.-

low(,'>

lati

yi.

me

Wi

pc. ki

44.

9ta

mi

(ng k6) le r'aye gb9 tir^ iiisisiyi.

have no time to do it = Emi ko r'aye ye e.
I do not lend money at all = Emi ko ya owo rara.
Think about it and let me know to-morrow =Ronu
89 fun mi Ic^la.

40.

42.

36.

3ft.

3.").

38.

sjira

Fi 9iia pja ban mi

way to the market
Get out of the way = Ogo Ipna
Wait for me heie = Duro de mi nihiu.
Go on, I will overtake you Ma 19, ago ba nyin.

the

get your

money ^=Wa.

<rba

own

nyin.

fun balm

r^-,

39

4.">.

have to fine you

ba tun se b(j>.

I shall

if

you do so again =Xgo

ma

ke owo

r^,

bi o
4(5.

47.

48.
49.
50.
51.
~>

53.
54.
55.

X.B.

= Ago melo 16 j? ?
= O j? ago meji ab<|>
Go away from there = Kuro mb<? (nib?).
Light the lamp = Tan fitila
Light the fire = Da ina (dana).
What

time

is it

two

It is half -past

Wash your hands =Wf 9w<? nyin.

Wash your face =69 oju nyin.
Wash the clothes =Fp a$9 na.
Go and buy cornflour = L9, da
Go and bathe =1.9, si w?.

ek9.

"
wash " are used with certain tilings,
Different words for
see 51, 52 and 53.

W$

is

69
F9

used for hands,

and body.

feet

,,

,,

face only.

,,

,,

clothes, vessels, floor, etc.

SECTION

10.

SENTENCES FOR TRANSLATION.

(KEY, SEE

SECTION n.)
die, iba

1.

Ojo r9

2.

Odo

nsan, o

3.

Awa

giin

4.
5.
(>.

ma wp

oke giga, o

9.

dara gba.
lule lojude ile wa.
si

Ok9nrin ke igi
^?in kan, ati agutan mefa li o ni.
Itana na dara, orun r^ si dim J9J9-

8.

wa
Baba inbe

9.

lya

7.

pup9, iba dara.

1-9

si jin,

Ilu nla

lehin oke Iphun.

si nka eso fun

l9gba, o

10.

wa nile, o
Kanga ti o wa

11.

J9, fun

12.

Fun mi Ias9 mi, ki ng le 19 si ile.

Fi owo fun 9m9de W9nyi, ti o to
Fi 9W9 re se e, ki o mase baje.

13.
14.

mi

li

si

npese onje

ko

ni ita,

omi mu,

ki

li

sile

omi

ng

rara.

to 19

si

16.

^se li a fi rin, ati oju li a fi riran.

Malu ko p9 nibi, wara si w<pn ju.

17.

T^r&n, eiye, ati eja

18.

Ologb6 dudu

15.

li

li

le

fi

tita.

de wa.

fun enia

oko.

t<j>r9

lati 39.

pa ekute pup9.

(threepence).

lit.

Ivy

li

o nui onJV (lini li I,MMI.

MMII ikoko, lehin igbati o \i

Jn.

|-'j

21.

Kii eni re, ki o si

22.

Mo pa

2.'{.

Bi oluwa ba

24.

1,9 ra igba meji fun

awpn pmpde.

L'.~i.

Awmli

ama

(inii

l>i

KEY
1.

3.

4.
.">.

mbe

o \\a

lehin, aja

lc>ke

ri

na yio pa

<,>!><,>.

ohun gbogbo

ti

11.

TO TRANSLATION IN SECTION

10.

a little, should it rain much it would be good.

(The) river is flowing, and it is deep, do not enter it.
We climbed a high hill, and it was very line.
(The) man cut a tree down, outside our house.
It rains

One horse and

(5.

(The) flower

7.

8.

Father

9.

Mother

large

is

town
is
is

six

is

he has

sheep

beautiful,

and

its

behind yonder

perfume

is

very sweet.

hill.

and he is gathering fruit for sale.

and she is preparing food for us.
(the) street, has no water at all.

in (the) garden,
in (the) house,

10.

(The) well that

1 1

Please, give

o.

ejo kekere laby ibusiin loni.

SECTION

2.

I'o

re, kiakiii.

gba iyara

me my

is

in

me

water to drink, before I go to farm.

cloth, that I may go home.

12.

Give

13.

Give money to these children

14.

Put your hand to do it, that it be not spoilt.

With the feet we walk, and with the eyes we see.
Cows are not plentiful here, and milk is very dear.
Animals, birds, and fishes are given to people to eat.

15.

16.
1

7.

18.

about threepence.

(The) black cat is able to kill many rats, (or mice).

makes or causes food to be sweet to the moutli.

19.

Salt

20.

Put water

24.

in (the) pot, after you have washed it.

Fold your mat, and sweep your room quickly.
I killed a small snake under the bed to-day.
If (the) master is behind, the dog will kill (the) monkey.
Go (and) buy two calabashes for the children.

25.

(The)

21.
22.
23.

hawk above

sees

all

(the) things that

we

do.

41

PART

IV.

PRONOUNS.
SECTION

1.

TABLE OF PRONOUNS
First

PERSONAL.

Person.
Plural.

Singular.
Masc. or Fein.

Nom.

Case.

= Emi,

Masc. or Fern.

Mo,

Ng

We=Awa,

Mi,

Our or Ours = Wa, Thva.

(future).

My

Pos. Case.

Mine

or

a.

Temi.

Us = Wn.

Me = Mi.

Obj. Case.

Second

Person.
Plural.

Singular.
Masc. or Feni.

Nom.

Case.

Pos. Case.

Masc. or Fern.

Thou=Iw9,

Ye,

9.

Thine=Re,

Thy,

You=Enyin,

e.

Your, Yours=Nyin, Tiyin.

Tire.

Obj. Case.

Thee=Iw9,

You = Nyin, Yin.

9.

Third

Nom.

Person.

Singular.

Plural.

Masc. or Fern.

Masc. or Fern.

Case.

He, She,

It

= On,

They=Nw9ii, awpn,

o,

a.

9-

Pos. Case.

His, Her, Hers, Its

= T6n,

Obj. Case.

Him, Her, It=a,

e,

N.B.

Euphony
to take the

precedes

it.

i,

Their,

Theirs =Tiw9n, w9n.

Tir?, R?.

o,

9,

Them=W9n.

e,

u.

requires the pronoun, third per.

sing. ; obj. case,
verb or preposition which
;

form of the vowel in the

Do

it

for

I praise

fcim=Se

e fun u.

him = Mo yin

i.

OF EUPHONIC CONCORD
PERSONAL PROXOIX, THIRD

THE

1.

met him

le

5.

in the

Ip"

it

market
<>

ja riigbati

away and

e kuro, o

si ri

lie

pe,

\\ln-n
1.1

1.

In-

lum^ht

it.

saw me do

mo

it.

se e.

I cannot keep it.

sugbpn nkd le fi i pamp.
I covered it and will use it another time.
Mo b6 o, ng o si 16 o iiigba ml (miran).
I drew near to it and ground it with my foot.

f^ 9

sunni9 9, mo si fi es(? mi
Bring it here and beat it.

Mu
(b)

.1.

Mo
6.

SING.

but

I like it

Mo
4.

&

drove

Mo
3.

CSK OF
;

With the Verb.

Mo ba
2.

I-KRS.,

CASK.

OBJ.
(a)

mi:

IN

u wa

With the
I

sihin, ki o si

19 9.

u.

lii

Preposition.

spoke with him, that he should not do so to

a sprp, pe, ki on k'o ma se b<ji si i.

her.

Mo ba
2.

3.

it to him
immediately.
fun u lojukanna.
shut the door against him.

Give
Fi

He
On

s6 (or

ti)

il^kun ml

1119

9 (or

SECTION

si i).

2.

PRONOUNS.
(a) Relative

Pronouns.

Who=Eniti (lit. who it is)

Contracted form
TIM.A
IT
i-Which -Kyin
(hi. which it is)
Whatever =Ohunti (lit. thing which).
Whoever= ^nikeni.
)

i.

T-.

-.L

"

Ti."

Whatsoever = Ohunkohun.
(b) Reflexive

Pronouns.

myself =Emi tikarami, or Emi ua.

Thyself = I vv~9 tikarare, or I wo na.
I

Himself = On tika-ar^, or
Ourselves Awa tikarawa.

On

papa.

Yourselves = Enyin tikarayin.

Themselves =Aw9ii tikarawpn.

N.B. Sometimes "1" is used instead of

"r"

as:

"
tikalar^."

43

Demonstrative Pronouns.

(c)

Eyi ni=this (it) is.

This=Eyi, yi
These = W9nyi.
That = Na; ohun na=that thing;
Those =W9nni.
Each =
;

Iwe yi=this book.

also

''

ni."

Every

Olukuluku.

(d) Interrogative

Who=Tani?

Pronouns.

or tali?

Who
Who

= Tali o se
= Tani wa

did

this ?

is

there ?

eyi

nibe

Whose = Titaiu ? Whose book is this ?= Iwe titani eyi ?

What=Kini ? or kili ? What is this ?=Kili eyi ?
What have I done?=Kini mo se
Which=Evvo ? 'wo ? Which is good? = Ewo li o dara ?
Which house is it ? = lie \vo ni ?

SECTION

3.

SENTENCES ILLUSTRATING THE USE OF PRONOUNS.

1.

2.

The book is mine, as you yourself admitted.

Temi ni iwe na, bi enyin tikarayin ti wi.
It is ours, and they cannot take it from us.
o je, nwpn ko si le gba a \<pwq wa.
on your giving the money to them.
.Mo tenurn9 wipe ki enyin ki o fi owo fun wpn.
I will go to them if you will come with me.
Ng o 19 S9d9 W9ii bi enyin o ba mi 19.
We do not want to remove them to-day.
A ko f$ si W9n nipo 1'oni.
Thou shalt not disobey your father.
Iw9 ko gb9d9 se aigb9ran si baba re.
It is thine, and thy brother shall not take it from you.
Tire li o je, aburo re ko si ni gba Iqwq re.
You must come to see them when they arrive.
Ki enyin wa wo w9n nigbati nw9n ba de\
The box is yours but you may let me use it.

Ti'wa
;}.

4.

o.

().

7.

8.

9.

li

I insist

na sugb9n enyin. le je ki ng 16 o.
and they can do what they like with it.
Ti'w9n li o je, nw9n si le fi i se ohunkohun ti nw9n ba
He and his wife came to our house yesterday.

Ti'yin
10.

1.

It

On

is

li

apoti

theirs

ati obiriii r

wa

si

ile

wa

f^.

1'ana.

She must do her work before she goes to play.

*On ko gb9d9 ma sise r^ ki o to 19 sire.
Two negatives are employed to make a strong affirmative

12.
*

rmi

= must

not, not (do)

(i.e.)

must.

ko

44

13.

The man who was hm- to-day

14.

Ok9nrin iia ti o wa ihin 1'oni, baba mi ni.

That which you saw to-day does not belong
Eyiti enyin

].">.

ri

Whatever you

do,

my

tVmi.
with all your

father.

to mi-.

ki ise

1'oni,

Ohunti enyin ba

is

do
se,

it

fi

ini^ht.

gbogbo agbara nyin

se

H>.

Whoever breaks

17.

l;'.nikeni ti o ba rufiii, k6 le sai ma jiya.

Whatsoever you do, do it to the glory of God.
Ohunkohim ti enyin ba se, se e fun ogo Qlpriui.

18.

It is 1,

1 !).

must

suffer for

e.

it.

be not afraid.

Emi ni, mase b^ru.

Do it thyself and do

it at once.
tikarare ni ki o se e, ki o si se e nisisiyi.
himself came to visit us last night.
tikarar^ li o wa b$ wa w6 1'oru ana.
must bear it ourselves without flinching.

Iw9
20.

the law

He
On

21.

We

22.

You

Awa

23.
24.

25.

tikarawa yio rii u laisi ib^ru.

yourselves know that it is so.
Enyin tikarayin mp pe, b^ li o ri.
It will recoil upon themselves before long.

Yio pada ba awpn tikarawpn laip^.

This horse came from those parts above the river.
Esin yi li o ti ile oke odo wa.
These towns, and those hills are under him.
Ilu wpnyi, ati oke wpnni li o wa labe r^.

SECTION

TRANSLATE:
1.

Emi

2.

Iwp

3.

Awa

4.

Enyin

5.

Nw9n

6.

Iw9

7.

Mo

8.

Enyin

9.

Awa

(FOR CORRECTIONS SEE SECTION

17.

Mo

18.

Iw9

ke.

19.

Emi

pe.

se.

20.

sa.

21.

Enyin
Nw9ii

fc?.

19.

de.

ta.

22.
23.

ftf.

ra.

r^.

On 14.
Awa fd.

29.

Enyin

30.

Awa ba.
O ya.
Nw9n ya.

Mo sa.
Nw9n fa.
Awa so.

15.

Enyin

39.

31.

16.

Nw9n

t?.

32.

14.

f9.

di.

28.

27.

13.

r6.

Mo he.
O wa.
Nw9n wa.
O wi.
Mo w$.

24.

25.
26.

10.

12.

4.

tii.

5.)

33.

Iwp

34.

Emi

57.

ti.

58.

t^.

Awa se e.
Mo se e.

35. Eiiyin $9.

36.
so.

59. Obinriii 19 9.
T
60. X w9ii so o.

37.

Xvvpn

38.
39.

O
O

40.

Iwp

41.

Mo
On

61.

Mo

na.

62.

Ok9iiriii

na.

63.

Baba wa

ii.

he

e.

ml tu

ni.

64.

ri 9.

65.
66.
67.

Mo

44.

pe mi.
X\v9u f^ wa.
Avva b^ yiu.

Om9 ba a.
Nw9ii b6 o.
lya bii u.

68.

Iw9

69.

Esin ta

70.

Enyin

42.

43.

di

i.

dii u.

45.

46.

Iw9

47.

Mo wo o.
Xw9n ti
Awa se e.

71.

Ok9nriii s^

72.

lya ho

73.

Om9k9nrin

74.

Obinrin

75.

Enyin

52.

Enyin su u.
Iw9 k(p 9.
Awa ko o.

76.

Baba

53.

77.

54.
55.

A\v9n 9k9iirin y9
Xw9ii wi i.

56.

Enyin

4S.

49.
50.

51.

ra

a.

ri

wpn.
i.

X.B.

i.

yi

9.

78.

79.

9.
e.

o.

le e.

m9

9.
u.

mu

89 9.
Ok9iirin la

Qm9-9d9
Iw ni

a.

fa a.

i.

It would be well to practice reading in an audible voice

every day, and have your boy to correct you.
The Bible, or the Yoruba Readers will serve this purpose.

KEY
1.

I love

2.

3.

5.

TO TRANSLATION- ix SECTIOX
They

Thou

17.

I think.

We

18.

Thou

(or want).

goest.
arrive.

You

6.

Thou

do.
5. They run.
sellest.

You

9.

We

cuttest.

19. I call.

20.

You wash

21.

They

22.

He

23.

We jump

agree.

24.

They beg.
Thou comest

splits.

25.

He

26.

They come.

27.

He

is.

28. I

14.

We

29.

You

15.

You

30.

We

speak.

(or fly).

gather (or pick).

12. I pick.
13. They draw.
tie.

(clothes).

bind.

buy.

break.

7.

8.

4.

tread.

16.

4.

11.

a.

39

19 9.

SECTION

10.

u.

a.

says.

wash (body).
7

loosen.

met.

46
31.

He

:J2.

They
Thou

33.
34.

35.

tears.

.">ii.

spread.

You

watch.

36. It slackens.
37.

They (make)

38.

39.

He
He

40.

Thou

42.

He

43.

They love

.~>s.

">!.

Woman

60.

They

flogs.

64. Child

He buys

46.

Thou

47.

48.

They push

it.

it.
it.

49.

We

50.

You

51.

Thou

52.

We

53.

He

54.

The men rejoice

They say it.

it.

tire

Hi;

Mother takes

(a

quantity of)

bind

it.

68.

Thou

70.
71.

You watch it.

Man strains (or

72.

Mother

deniest (or refuneth )

69. Horse kicks it.

seest them.

do

jt.

it.

met it.
They cover it.

H7.

beg you.

look (at)

loosens

it.

us.

4").

it.

it.

65.

me.

We

grinds

tie

Father seeks

63.

44.

it.

it.

spends.

calls

m-iiul

61. I pick it.

62. That man

into balls.

sayest (or hast).

41. I see you.

55.

You

\Ve cook
shut it.

.~>7.

separate.
pushest.

him.

learnest

it.

gather it.
turns it.
(over) him.

peels

drives

Boy

74.

Woman knows

7.1.

You

76.

Father

77.

Man

78.

Servant draws it.

Thou has it, cr you have

79.

SECTION

it.

it.

it.

tells it.

splits

it.

it.

6.

TONES, OR ACCENT WITH ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCI'/)

it.

Hlteiv)

it.

73.

catch

it.

-.

small upward murk

is indicated by the
over the vowel a and the voice should be raised about a

The acute accent

tone.

A few examples will show the importance of its use

Ma lp= don't go compared with
Ma lp=(you) may go.
:

We know
Awa

m<J>

God is holy.
mimo li Qlprun.

that
pe,

M$=to
M$=to

know.
be clean or holy.

Sweep the room and be ready

Gba

iyara ki a

si

Gb6=to sweep.
Obi = to

to receive the guests.

mura de awon

receive.

alejo.

and then feed the chickens.

lehin na ki o b(j> awon adie.

Boil the rind

69 epo (isu),
Bp=to
B$=to

boil.

feed.

His wife was bitten by their monkey.

li o bu
aya
Aya=wife.
Ayd = monkey.

*Aya wpn

This

will

je.

1-9

the

emphasize

of

importance

attention

strict

to

intonation.
(b)

In regard to the open vowels " a " and others, it is well

to give a full even tone to all vowel sounds.
The " grave "
"
"
a
accent
should be treated as if the mark indicated a
"
"
Practise the
full
acute
and " grave " in the
stop.

way

following

ba-ba
ha-ha

ja-ja

iia-na

pa-pa

wa-wa
(c)

da-da

fa-fa

ra-ra

ga-ga

ka-ka

sa-sa

gba-gba

la-la

sa-sa

ma-ma

ta-ta

ya-ya.

The

are one in print

but whenever two
)
signs (-) and (
vowels come together of the same name, as in the Personal
Pronoun, Third Pers. Sing. Obj. Case, it is well to lengthen
the sound, as if there was no space between them, thus
baa." And as all the vowels are used in this way,
practise the following sounds
;

'

ba a
da a
gba a

de e

ra a

ta a

bo o

gbe

19

m9

9
9

89 9

Verily, verily I say unto you.

L6t9, 16t9, ni mo wi fun nyiii.

2.

God

3.

Be

4.

It is so,

bu u
lu u

ru u

mu

tu u.

OF THE USE OF THE CIRCUMFLEX

ACCENT.
1.

f9 9

A FEW EXAMPLES

bp 9

fo

o
lo o
gbe e
19 9
ko o
r9 9
pe e
se 9
so o
se e
le

fe

will protect and keep you.

C*l9run yio dabobo, yio si pa nyin

1119.

patient with those who suffer.

e suru fun aw9ii ti o jiya.

whatever else you

Ohuiikohun ti enyin ba wi,

may
b<=>

li

say.

ri.

.">.

not say that you did it.

ko \\ipr riiyin li n sr c.
If tin- elephant can In' unyry so can tin- ant.
Hi inn nilii ajanaku a l)i era pclu.

not

is

li

Ueko

li.

7.

y.

l<>.

s.i.

ii

<lid

cnii

ri.

do you sn\

Why

that

cnyin wipe, omi

did

it

':

o se e ?
will come to see y<ni another day.
ii
wa wo yin li 9J9 ml (niiran).
I'ity me and help me if you can.
Sana fun mi, ki o si ran mi l9\v<j>, lii
You are working very hard to-day.
ti

V.^>

8.

li

li

l.Mivin

I'

nsisi;

'

11

|i

"">

SECTION

7.

MX AMPLE OF TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH TO YORUBA.

TO SHOW THAT CORRECT TRANSLATION GIYKS
INCORRECT IDIOM.
TRANS.

i.

ENGLISH.

;.

1.

Now

there

cried

certain

woman

2.

Nje

nibe

kigbc

kan

cnikan

obirin

(ninu

awpn aya pmp

Obirin kan
of
'2.

'!.

1.

2.

\\i\cs

tlir

n\v9n aya
woli) kigbe
ti

the

sons of

the

prophets

ti

awpn

ti

aw9n

woli

si

1.

dead
ati
ku
iw9
ku
iwQ si nip
and
the Lord
na Oluwa ati

-'.-

1.

2.

"Thy

91*19

servant

my

husband

is

9iii9d9

mi

9k9

ti

''

Iw9

Iran^ r? pkp mi ti
and thou knowest that thy servant did

3.

2.

awpn

ti

of

unto Kli.-ha, saying,

89d9 Elisha, invipe.
"
Eli?a.

LITERAL

2.

IDIOMATIC.

wipe,

iw9 9m9d9
pe
m<p
pe iranse re b$ru
the creditor is come to

na

olowo

ti

d^

lati

fear
bi -i u

se

unto

take

mu

3.

Oluwa
awpn onigbese si wa lati mu awpn pmp
be bondmen."
two
sons
to
mi mejeji 9m9k9nrin lati se eru."
mi mejeji li eru."

1.

And

2.

Ati

::.

1.

2.

him

9d9 r^

my

Elisha said

unto her,

"What

shall

do

for

th.i

2.

"
Kini yio
emi sc fun 9 ?
Elisha wipe sqdq r,
"
Kini emi yio se hm 9 P
Elisa si wi fun u pe,
me what thou hast in the house?"
And >hr ^.iid.
tell
ni na
ilc
Ati
on
wi
mi kini
\\i|>iiw9 ni

3.

Wi

''-

1.

'

'.'

fun mi, kini iwp ni ninu

ile

"

On

si

wipe

49
1.

"

Thine handmaid

''

R$

2.
3.
1.

2.

"

iransebirin.

Iransebirin

hath not anything in the house,

ni
ko nkankan iii na ile,

ko

r?

ni

nkankan

ni

ile,

of oil."
Then
he said,
pot
kan ikoko ti epo (ororo)."
Nigbana on wipe,
bikose ikoko ororo kan."
Nigbana on wipe,

save
bikose
"

2.

Go borrow thee vessels abroad of all

thy neighbours
"
ikoko lode
ti
r
(win) 9
Lp
ya
aladugbo,
gbogbo
"
Lp, ki iwp ki o yd ikoko Ipwp awpn aladugbo re kakiri,
borrow not a
even empty vessels
few.
aiii
ofo
ikoko ; ya
kise kan die.

3.

ani ikoko ofo

1.

And when

1.

2.
3.
1.

2.

3.
1.

ki

ya \vpn,

thou art come

ise

die.

thou shalt shut the door

in,

wa sinu, iwp yio se

na il^kun
nigbati iwp ti
Nigbati iwp ba si wple, ki iwp ki o se il$kun
and shalt pour
upon thee and thy sons,
Ati

2.

1'ori

3.

mp

ati

iwp
ara

awpn

r<=!

pmpkpnrin,

mp awpn pmp

ati

re,

ki

re,

yio

da a

si

2.

those vessels, and thou

out into all
ati
sode sinu gbogbo wpnni ik6ko,
iwp
sinu gbogbo ikoko wpnni, ki iwp ki
that which
is full."
shalt set
aside
(o) se kun."
yio
gbe s'apakan eyiti

3.

1.

So

ft
eyiti o kun si apakan.
she went from him, and shut the door

2.

B(ji

on

1.

2.
3.
1.

si

kuro on,
kuro Ipdp

lp

3.

B<?ni

1.

and upon her

2.

ati

si

lp

r$,

na

se

ati

si

se

ati

to

2.

3.

fun on
fun on

1.

And

it

came

to

pass,

when

2.

Ati

ti

wa

si

kpja,

nigbati na

her

si

and she poured

ati
on ti da
wa
on si da a.

2.

pe

3.

o wi fun
"
'

3.
1.

2.

"
"

"
3.

ara r?

out.

sode.

the vessels
awpn ikoko

were

full,

ti

kun,

awpn ikoko kun,

unto her son,

nigbati

se,

that she said

"

mp

1.

1.

il<?kun

upon her
on

1'ori

who brought the vessels

1'ori r$
awpn pmpkpnrin eniti mu-wa na awpn ikoko
mp awpn pmp r$, ti ngbe ikoko

1.

2.

il^kun

sons,

3.

3.

da

ati

on

wipe spdp

pmp

r$

pmpkpnrin,

r$ pe,

vessel."
And he said unto her,
Bring me yet a
Mu-wa mi sibp kan ik6ko." Ati on wipe spdp r$,
Tun mu ikoko kan fun mi wa." On si wi fun u pe,
And the oil
vessel more."
There is not a
stayed.

Nibe

Ko

si

si

Ati na epo (ororo) da.

ko kan ikdko mp."
kan nip"." Ororo na si da.

ikoko

1.

2.

3.
1.

Then
she came
Nigbana on ti wa

and told
ati

ma a

thr

so fun

God.

of

na

yknnrin ti Ol9rua.
Nigbana li o wa, o si so fun enia Qlprun na.
and pay thy di-lit,
And he said, " Go, sell the oil,
Ati on wipe,
na epo (ororo). ati sail r$ gbese,
L>9, ta
"
On si wipe,
LQ, ta ororo na, ki o si san igbese re,
of the rest."
2 Kings 4. 1-7.
andlive
thou and thy children
ati wa(je)iw9 ati r^ nrqtKfUUfti na iykii
'

2.
3.
1.

2.
3.

ki

iwo

awon

ati

91119

re ki o

si

SECTION

TRANSLATE
I.

Ida

2.

Qk9nrin

li

28.

3.

Aroko tu

4.

Ajayi ra bata.

/>.

Qm9birin

(i.

Onile ra

9.

33.

.'!

11.

Mo

egb9n.

12.
til

rj>.

37.

16.

Alaru di

42.

17.

Onile

18.

Mo

20.

Qmode ho orombo.

f<;>

erii.

agutaii.

ri

ologbd.
19. Alapata pa elede.

1,-Nin

ta

Ewur^

oluwa

r.

s6 ilekun.

24.

Qm9>9d9

2">.

lya pe enikeji

27.

r^.

kl timtiia.

y6 eyln.

nil

rt>.

ti

enia

?e

kuru ju

ti

9hun

s?s>

eyi

.-

9r^ mi, inu mi dim

19.

to igba enia.

ri

tani

rere.

o ns9.

li

otit9

lati

ri 9.

43.
44.

O dim mi
Ha Iw9

pupij).

ara mi ni.
Ki 9 dnro de wa nihinyi
I

awa

titi

ti

4.">.

Awa

46.

Qmode, ma mA

ri

!,.

si

9hun.

nyin lana.
t

yajn

si

enikan.

j^ koriko.

23. Iransje j^ i^^

2(>.

r>\

Or9

01119 yi

40.

9k9.

ilu

si

Ajjutan kekere.

Mo
A
Ye

15.

22.

19
le.

39.

41.

21.

a gbaguda.

mi

38.

ede wa.
Oyinbo
Ojo s?e i^e.

wa

if

36. Qk9nriii

Qm9binrin pe abnro

14.

iiju.

gun elub9.

ilade

:5

ile.

10.

13.

Q.)

gba erupe.

32. Ajayi

Alase se onje.
ri

Aroko gbin

31. Adigun.

i.^u

k<j>

8.

30.

ile.

^ oju.

8.

o ku."

ti

29.

aja.

7.

owo

(FOR CORRECTION SEE SECTION

i'lko.

li

j?

47.

Ka

si

nkan

48.

Ko

si

nkan.

41).

Iv-je

ile

ti

91119

\\.i

na

fi

wa

sinu

51

SECTION

KEY

9.

TO TRANSLATION IN SECTION

8.

Sword has sheath.

27.

Hen

Man

28.

Farmer plants yam.

has dog.

Farmer

29. Girl

tills ground.
Ajayi buys boots.
Girl washes her hands.

Housekeeper buys yam.

Boy washes face.

draws water.

30.

Worker takes
mud.

31.

Adigun cuts cassava.

Ajayi pounds yam flour.

32.

Worker builds house.

Cook cooks food.

lays egg.

(or receives)

33.

Akilade goes to his town.

34.

My body

younger

35.

Small sheep.

(brother or sister).
11. I see elder (brother or sister).

36.

That

man is

37.

He

is

10.

Girl

calls

her

man

White

15.

Ojo does work.

speaks

38. This

our
40.

16. Carrier ties load.

Butcher

41.

child

is

shorter than

saw about 200

people.
?

to see you.

me much.
thou art my

42. It pains

kills pig.

20. Child peels orange.

43.

Ha

44.

You

relative.

await us here until

22.

Horse kicks his master.

Goat eats grass.

45.

23.

Messenger delivers his mess-

46. Child,

24.

Servant shuts door.

25

Mother

26.

Man

21.

truthful

A who did this

Ah! my friend, I am pleased

Housekeeper seeks sheep.

18. I see cat.

19.

good person.

(the one) yonder.

39. I

17.

(a)

speaking

words.

Child writes copy.

13. Canoeman poles canoe.
12.

14.

(is) well.

we

go yonder.

We saw

(see)

you yesterday.

do not be saucy to

anyone.

age.

calls

(friend)

her

47. Is

partner

companion.

stuffs mattress.

48.

anything (wrong)
Nothing

49.

How

is it

that child comes

into our house

PART

V.

SECTION

1.

SIMPLE OR ROOT VERBS OF THE SECONI

WITH

ILLUSTRATIVE

SENTENCES.

SEE KEY, SECTION

2.

(Ompkpnrin, dan bata mi.)

(Mase gan nti'i re.)

1.

D4n=to

polish.

2.

Gail

despise.

3.

Han
Kan

i" appear.

5.

Ran

ID send.

6.

T&n=to be finished. (Owo mi tan patapata.

Y4n=to neigh. (Nigbati esin yan, o nki nyin.
Din i" subtract. (Ki o din owo fun mi.)

4.

7.

8.

tn

touch.

<

(Idl r$ han gbangba. )

(Mase fi ow/i kan mi.)
(Ran on in na 19 si 9Ja. )
)

Gbin=to sow. (A ma gbln agbado lemeji I'pdun.)

Pfn=to divide. (Ki o pin owo yi larin nyin.)
Rin=to walk. (Lana, mo 19 riri kiri l'9Ja.
Sin=to serve. (Ol9run li o to sin.)
Wfn=to lend or borrow. (Jc?, ki a win ikdko fun mi.

9.

10.
11.

12.
13.

Yin = to

14.

16.

17.

Ktm= to

18.

Run

to

19.

Sim

t"

20.
21.

F^n=to
P$n=to

22.

W^n=to

KEY TO

(twa nyin da, mo yin 9.)

(Oba li o bun mi 1'ebun. )
ride.
(Balogun li o gun esin dudu. )
murmur. (Nw9n kirn si oluk9ni W9n. )
(Ina run gbogbo llu. )
destroy.
(M4 pariwo, baba sun.)
sleep.
scatter.
(F<^n ihin rere ka kiri.)
sharpen.
(P<?n ake fun ise nyin.)

praise,

Bim = to
Qim=to

15.

give.

measure.

(Nw9n w4

lati

SECTION

2.

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

2.

Boy, polish my boots.

Do not despise thy enemy.

3.

The reason

4.

Do

1.

5.
6.

w^>n

of

it

plainly appears.

not touch me.

Send the child to market.

My money

is

altogether finished.

ile.

SECTION

i.

53

When

7.

the horse neighs,

it is

saluting you.

That you lessen or reduce the money for me.

We usually plant or sow maize twice yearly.
That you divide this money between yourselves.
Yesterday I walked about the market.
God is (great) enough to be served (worshipped).

8.

9.

10.

11.
12.

me

a pot (earthen vessel).

13.

Please (that you) lend

14.

17.

Your conduct is good, I praise you.

The king gave me a present.
The war chief rides a black horse.
They murmured against their teacher.

18.

Fire destroyed

19.

Don't make a noise, father sleeps.

Scatter the good news about.
Sharpen the axe for your work.
They came to measure the land.

15.

16.

20.
21.
22.

all

the town.

SECTION

3.

ADJECTIVES.
Adjectives usually follow the nouns
(e.g.) A white cloth=as9 funfun kan.

The usual three degrees of comparison exist, and are formed by

"
"
"
"
to the positive and
to the comparative
the addition, of
ju
19
Dara=good.
Dara ju= better.
Data julo=best.

(e.g.)

Buru=bad.
Buru ju= worse.
Buru julp= worst.

ADJECTIVES.
_,

Dara

Rere
Black = Dudu.
}

(of things

(of persons).

Great = Tobi, nla.

High = Giga.
Deep = Jijin.
Narrow =T6r6.

Much = Pupi).
Little=Die.

Kind = Seun.
Cold = Tutu.

Young=Ewe.

and persons).

Sweet = Dun.

White = Funfur

Small =Kekere, wewe.

Short

= Kukuru.

Wide=Gb5ro.
Bitter =Kor6.
Red = Pupa.
Fierce=Ror6.
Dear = W(?n.

Hot=Gb6na, Gbigbona.
01d=Agba, gbo.
Many=Qp9.

New=Tit.un.
N.B. " Rere " of persons implies moral goodness.
Da, Dara, Daradara= any thing, from good to beautiful.

NOTES ON ADJECTIVKS.
1.
Exceptions to the rule that adjectives follow nouns, are
found in concrete nouns placed in opposition to other concrete
nouns
(e.g.) Qlogb^n enia=wise person.

Otosi eles$=poor sinner.

Agidi

pmp= stubborn

child.

Onrord enia= fierce person.

Ika enia= cruel person,
2.
The words denoting
placed before the noun
(e.g.

many

etc.

persons, or tilings, are sometimes

Gbogbo enia = all people.

Qpolopp enia=many people.

Olukuluku enia= every person.

The numeral adjectives, when they are round numbers, as

3.
twenty, thirty, and so on, come before the noun
(e.g.

Ogun enia= twenty

persons.

Qgbpn malu= thirty cows.

Ogoji isu= forty yams, and so
4.
Sometimes the preposition
to a noun to form an adjective
(e.g.

lpr^=he

is

rich

lagbara

he

is

"
li

"

(lit.

strong

SECTION

or

"

on.

ni

he has
(lit.

"

is

used as a pn -fix

riches).

he has strength).

4.

ADVERBS, WITH ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

i.

(a)

ADVERBS OF TIME.
Then=nigbana, or nje.
When=nigbati, or nigbawo
tete.
Early = kutukutu

Uow==nisisiyi.
To-day =l'oni.

To-morrow =l'9l a

Yesterday =l'ana.
Instantly =lojukanna, lesekanna.

Ever=lailai,

lai,

Once=l^kan.
Weekly = 1 psos 9.

bibi

lai.

Late=p$.
Always = nigbagbogbo.
Often=nigbakugba.
Daily =lojojum9.
Again = ?w e, m$, tun.

'!

55

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

(b)
1

2.
3.

Do

now =

it

e e nisisiyi.

came to pass = Nigbana o si se.

Then, he became angry = Xje, o binu.
N.B. Xje is equivalent to " well,"
Then

it

as

became

(Well, ho

angry).
4.

To-day or to-morrow

5.

".

When you come, come early =Nigbati

He is very late On pp ju.
Do it instantly = e e lojukamia.

8.

You

6.

9.

10.

do=L'oni, tabi

speak the truth

Always
Once again

11.

Do

12.

It is

13.

Do

it

you

I tell

e.

daily,

not weekly

again=Ma

not do SO

Here = nihiii, or

1'pla

li

ba wa,

o dara.
ki p teto wa.

= Nigbakugba e nse aigbpran.

= So 6tp nigbagbogbo.
to do it = Lpkan si mo sp fun 9
li

=e e lojojump, ki

same ==69

ever the

ni

ima

se

nibi.

ise Ipspsp.

in.

bp mp, or

Ma

tun. se bf.

There=nibp.
Yonder = Iphun.
Far = jina, or lokere.

Everywhere = nibikibi.
Near = nitosi.

Elsewhere = nibo miran.

the side=l<?ba.

Backward =sehin.

Forward=siwaju.

Upward=soke.

Downward =sisale.

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

(b)

Here it is, come and get it=Nihin li o wa, wa

It was there yesterday=Nibe li o wa I'ana.

mu

2.
3.

Everywhere

mo

gbe

1.

li

go

it is

It is

5.

He

6.

It is

is

the

same= Nibikibi

ti

u.

lp,

near by,

call

town=O

jina

him=O wa

pupp

nitosi,

si ilu.

pe

e.

=O

7.

wa leba odo.
by the side of the river
Elsewhere things are not so=Nibo miran, nkan ko

8.

He

9.

Go on

10.

Lift

11.

We

bakanna

ri.

very far from

4.

is

going

ki

ADVERBS OF PLACE.

2.

By

are often disobedient

o se

(a)

will

backwards=O npada

sphin.

in front of me=Ma lp siwaju mi.

your eyes upward = Gbe oju nyin soke.
were going downwards =Awa ti nip sisal e.

ri

bf.

ADVERBS OF DEGREE.

3.

Altogether = pat apata.

Much^ pupp
Enough -to.
Too p 9! u

So=b?;

bayi.

As-=bi.

Quickly

y a ray ara, kiakia.

kiki. nikanfjioijo, pere, o^odr.

Only

(ft)

Almost^ f?rv.

= die,

Iattle

1.

He

Only gold and

On

there

oini yio

pelep?le.

JvJv.
lev,

<'kini.

li

nikansjo.o

w&

silver will I receive--

nilx,-.

Kiki wnra

ati

fadakn

ni

til>a.

have seen enough

3.

4.

He was

6.

I too shall be

6.

Do

it

7.

So

it is

SO,

Gently
First

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

2.

is

p<J>.

diedie.

(6)

only

= Mo

altogether lost =

and

ti ri

On

ti

there=Emi pelu

it

always

will please

69

li

me^=

ri

to

391111

patapata.

yio wa nibe.
e bayi, yio
fj>e

si

dim mp

rni.

nigbagbogbo.

10.

As it was in the beginning =Bi o ti wa li atetekp^e.

Come quickly Kiakia ni ki o \va.
Walk gently, the road is rough= Rln p^l^p^lf ijma na ?e pnlapala

11.

The

12.

Two

8.

9.

grown a little=Ohun 9gbin ti dagba di?.

cocoanuts only do I see=Agb9n meji pere ni mo ri.
Only trouble do I meet with=Ogede wahala ni mo b&.
The first born and the first fruits are God's = Ak9"bi ati akp'so

13.
14.

plant has

Ol9run To je (or bi Ql9run

4.

ni).

ADVERBS OF AFFIRMATION, NEGATION AND

DOUBT.

(a)

Yes=b^ni, en
Certainly

No=b^ko, ndao, agbed9.

= dajudaju.

Verily

T .,

Indeed

Perhaps = bpya.

Undoubtedly = laiijiyemej i.

Not=ki, or k6.

(b)

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

1.

Yes, I shall be there

2.

Did you do

3.

It is

not so

= Be"ni, emi
= Iw9

Yes
Hr-kn li o

this P

ri.

li

yio wa nibe.
o $e eyi ?

Jjln

ti

Did you take it ? No

Did you steal the money

= Iw9
?

o mu
= Iw9

ji

li

No

li

(emphatic).
Indeed, I shall not go = Lot 9, emi ko ni

<>.

Verily I say unto

7.

you=L6t9, mo

= On

\vi

Ndao
owo bi

He

no doubt about it=K6 si iyemeji rara.

Undoubtedly it was he = Laisiyemeji, on ni.
It was not he, but I = Ki ise on, sugb9n emi ni.

certainly

11.

is

but I will = On ko

Where

= nibo ?
?

;?.

4.
").

(>.

7.

19.

= ese ti

How much?=elo ?
Why ?=ni tori kini ?

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

(b)
1.

sugb9n emi yio

Wherefore

How? = bawo 9iia wo

How many? = melo ?
When ? = nigbawo ?

2.

le 19,

INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS.

5.
a

jebi dajudaju.

is

He cannot go

12.

guilty

Agbed9

19.

H.

There

fun nyin.

0.

Hi.

Where is it? = Nibo li o wa ?

Wherefore do you go? = Ese ti iw9 fi 19
How do you do it? = Bawo li o ti se e ?

How much is it ?= filo li o je ?

How many are there ?=Melo o wa nibe ?
Why do you speak so ? = Nitori kini iw9 %e 39
When will he come ? = Nigbawo o le wa ?
li

li

on yio de

bayi
or,

Nigbawo

li

NOTES ON ADVERBS.
There are distinctive adverbs which take the place of " very
"
in English and almost every verb has its own peculiar
adverb

much
1.

2.
li.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

(<?</) Igi

ga

lj!ry e

fiofio

= tree

is

6 tiantian=bird

very high.

flies very high.

p$n rokiroki=this cloth is very yellow.
Oelodo pupa roro = flower is very red.
Kiniun nke ramuramu = lion is roaring loudly.
gb$ sakasaka=he hears perfectly.
dun mi J9Jp=it pains me greatly.
duro sinsin=he stands firmly.

Asp

yi

QniQ SQ r 9 botibdti- child talks pratingly.

9.

10.

A?9

11.

12.

A$9

cloth tears easily.

ja fut$fute

gbadura tpkantpkan

he prays earnestly.

dudu perepere = this cloth

yo bambam=-it is very full.

13.

yi

$u biribiri=it is very dark.

Aiya mi nja fuk$fuke = my heart

14.

very black.

is

11$

15.

is

beating furiously.

Almost every reduplicated word which follows a verb

be regarded as an adverb.

N.B.

SECTION

may

5.

PREPOSITIONS.
In=H, or

With = pelu, ba,

Within =m'nu.
Without = lode.
Above =loke.
Under =nisale.

iii.

To=si, fun.
Into=sinu.

Unto=s9d9.

On = lori.
From=lati,

By=nipa,

Beneath = lab^.

ti.

After =1 chin.

nipase.

Against=si,

Among=larin.

ti.

1119,

Around =yika.
Beside =leba,

Before=niwaju, siwaju.
For = ni tori, fun, de.

leti.

Until =titi.

Of=niti,

ti.

Except =bikose.

NOTES ON THE PREPOSITIONS.

Ti=from, involves the idea

of departure from.

Si=to, involves the idea of motion towards.

Li, or

ni=in, indicates

A FEW
Fun

M9
Ba

(v.

VERBS ARE USED AS PREPOSITIONS.

to give

(v.) to
(v.) to

fun, prep.,

adhere

meet;

(e.g.

rest in.

m$,

mi=he

se ilekun

ba

wa

= against.
= with.

prep.,

ba, prep.,

wi fun

= to.

lp

1119

spoke to me.

wpn = he shut

= he

went with

the door against them.

us.

.59

NOTES ON A FEW PECULIAR PREPOSITIONS.

Pelu=with

(e.g.

Ayp

pelu inudidun li a
we did it, or
did it.
it is

Lpdp = with

Qmp

(e.g.)

fi

se

e=Joy

with gladness

With joy and gladness we

na wa Ipdp iya r$ = The child

is

with

its

mother.

Si= against

(e.g.

Nwpn

sprp

si

pba wpn = They spoke against their

king.

Ti

= against

(e.g.

Nitori=for

(e.g.

De = for

(e.g.

duio

ti

mi=He stood against (by) me.

mo se inawo = For him I incurred

the
expense, or For his sake I spent the money.
Duro de mi=Wait for me.

Nitori r$ ni

DuTO de oluwa
"

NOTES ON
"

"

"

re

LI

= Wait for

"

"

AND

your master.

NI."

"

and ni are used, both as verbs and prepositions. For

Li
sake of euphony the consonants are interchangeable. In
ordinary conversation both forms are used indiscriminately ; but
it will be helpful to remember the following rule
"
That li changes into ni ,' both as a verb and a preposition
"
before the vowel i.'
the

'

'

'

'

1.

(</) Emi

esin=I have a

li

horse.

Emi ni isu=I have some yam.

wa li Qgba=He is in the garden.
wa ni ile=He is in the house.

2.

The exceptions

to this rule are few

SECTION

and

may

be disregarded.

6.

CONJUNCTIONS.
And=ati, on, and
(e.g.

si

"
lp si

But=sugb9n.
If=bi, followed by ba,

Ot=tabi,

'abi.

Still=sibe, sibesibe.

Also

Moreover

(used only before a verb)

si,"

[=pelupelu.
)

Because = nitoriti.

Therefore= nitorina.

pja

"

= and

he went to market.

bi o ba."

60
"

Although =
That=ki, ti,
Unless

bi o tileJ9pe

"

(a phrase), bi

ti

je pe.

pe.

ati.

Then=nje.

INTERJECTIONS.

= o pain or surprise.
A = of surprise.
W6 = behold.
Kai = cf wonder.
$ip = of ridicule.
Dak? = silence.
$pa = of astonishment.
Oro =
Ye

Igi da

Ko

s$

its.

= Wonderful.

T6 = Satisfaction.
Ago = Make way

And many

Pasidari !==

SECTION

others.

7.

TRANSLATION. (FOR CORRECTION SEE SECTION

1.

Nko

ri

pada wa

enik^ni

9na,

1'

mo

si

wi fun mi lana, beiii

sugb9n on ko gb<? rara.
3. Afi bi iya r^ ba de, iw9 ki
yio 19 si ile nyin
nitoripe
\wa r^ ko dim m$ mi.
4. T9 mi wa l9la, ki a le J9 89
oran 9m9birin na
b9ya mo
le gba a S9d9.
5. Tay9tay9 ni ngo 19 bi o ba
2.

Bi o

mo

ti

se,

ran mi.
9r9 kan, o fi is mi
sile, nitorina ng ko ni san owo
kan fun u.
7. Mu
iwe yi 19 fun eyibo
(oyinbo), ki o si duro de

C.

Liii-.i

idahun (or

Fun mi

bi

ko de,

1'

si i.^

linn

mo

ba a

ni

ita.

10.

Bi omi ba tutu

ongbe.

1.

Mase

reti

iran^wp
on ko le ran ara

na, nitoripe
r^ 19W9".

^sin k6 je koriko rara, o

dabi 9nipe, o saisan.
13. Aw9n agbalagba li o 1119 bi
12.

aiye

ti

nw9n

nitoripe,

ri,

ngb aiye li 9dun pup9.

14. Ni ijeJ9 nw9n ti ina b9
nigbati awa
awa jade 19

si ri
hit

Nigbawo
na ya per^pere

16.

ile,

lojukanna,

i,

pa

a.

ni kiniun fa

15.

ti

agutan

Tani yio fi ade de 9ba na

9k9nrin ni, tabi obirin ?
si i.
agbado, yka baba, own,

1'ori,

17.

li o jasi eso
ere 19P919P9 ninu.

ati ere oniruru

esi)

as9 ib6ra kan fun

alaisan yi ti o nki'i 19.
9. Emi ko mo bi o de ihin, tabi
8.

ile.

8.)

oko,
18.

a tete pa

li

Nw9n wa

I'viia

agutan

9tun, ati

nw9n k6
19.

to,

ti

ri

Mase gba

1'osi

ti

nil,

sugb9n

i.

9r<;>

buburu

si

enikeni gb<J, sugb9n ranti pe

n\\ on le 89 In; si 9.

01
20. Ijafara
je,

oju

li

nitorina

le

ma

ba

ise
fi

si ise re.

Suru yio fun wa iii is^guii

lori ohun ti o soro se,
16t9,

21.

yio bori

Oni iwa tutu li o le tu enia

ninu 1'9J9 ibanuje,
onror6 enia ko le se e.
23. A ko le sai 16 sum, li ede
22.

^pra, ki o si

k<;>

SECTION

KEY
1.

I did not see

anyone by the
returned home.

way, and I
As you told me yesterday, so
I did, but he did not listen at
all.

Unless your mother should

come, you will not go homa,
because your conduct does
not please me.
4. Come to me to-morrow that
we may discuss the question
of that girl, perhaps I may
take her.
5. I will go joyfully if you send
me.
6. Without saying a word he
left my work, therefore I will
not pay him any money.

Take this letter to (the)

white man, and wait for an

1.

answer.

Give

me

a covering cloth for

this sick person, who is dying.

9. I do not know if he came

here or not, but I met him in

the street.
10. If water is cold enough it

soon quenches thirst.

Do not expect help from
that child, because he is
unable to help himself.
12. (The) horse cannot eat any
grass, it is as if it were sick.
11.

13.

The aged know what the

earth

is

like,

because

have been living on

years.

it

they

many

lati

8.

14.

7.

Eight days ago,

saw
to

it

At what time

it

out.

(or

the

when) did
sheep

to

Who

man

tear

lion

pieces

17.

put

(kill it)

the
16.

they set

and when we
instantly we went out

to (a) house,

fire

15.

3.

o soro ju

ede miran.

TO SECTION

'2.

8.

nitoriti

kik(?,

ohun gbogbo.

Yam,

crown the king, a

will

woman

or a

corn,

guinea-corn,
cotton and beans, of many
kinds, are the fruit of the farm
which are very profitable.

They searched for the lost

sheep by the right road and
left, but did not see it.

18.

19.

Do

not believe bad words

against anyone,
but remember that they may
speak so against you.
(evil report)

20. Slackness

may

spoil

much

work, therefore, watch, and

put your eye to your work (be
attentive ).
21. Patience

will give us the

victory over difficult things,

verily,

(it)

will

overcome

all

things.

The meek-one -can comfort

people in the "day of sorrow,
but the fierce (austere ) person

22.

cannot do it.
We cannot

23.

do

without

patience, in learning languages,

because it is very difficult to
learn another language.

62

PART

VI.

SECTION

1.

EXTENDED LIST OF SIMPLE VERBS OF THE SECOND

CLASS, WITH

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES.

(KEY, SEE SECTION

1.

2.
.'{.

4.

5.
6.

Gan

sew

i"

Han = to be unfruitful. (Igi orombo yi

Han = to scream. (Ompde yi ban goro.
Kan = to drip. (Epo ti o nru ni nkan.
devolve upon.
Kan
(Qran na kan
Ran = to spread (as fire or disease).
(Ina, tabi
I

>.

Ran=
(

8.

yi fun mi.)

(Gan asp

coarsely.

2.)

to spin.
,
to sew.

Tin = to

)
r

,,

ban.)
)

iiyin.

arun na kd ran).

(Obirm ni nran owu, o

si

nran

aao.)

light or shine.

ni

fitila

(Tan
iyara mi.)
(Osupa ni ntan imyle 1'oru.
Tan (preceded by ba) = to be related to. (Emi k6 ba 9 tun.)
Tan=to run aground. (Ok$> tan leti odd.)
)

9.

10.
11.
12.

13.
14.

Yan=to
Din=to

(Mo ti yan 9 I'^r?.)

(Ki o din 9g<?d<=> agbagba fun mi.)
Gbin = to breath with difficulty. (Ok9nrin na ngbin,
Pin = to terminate.
(Ko si <J>na mc^, o pin.)

10.

= to
= to
Sin = to
Yin = to
Yin = to

20

Gun=

1").

Ifi.

17.

18.

choose.

fry.

Sin

string as beads.

Sin

accompany.

(Nw9n

bury.

22.
2:5.

oku r$
li

'

Nwon "S"11

-{

(Old

li

>

ai

ni nsin ileke.)

(As9 na yin mi

attract.

{to pierce.
21.

sin

(Qm9

sin alejo

(T6lot616

lay eggs.
to beat

(Mo

\'u

isu

ti

1'oni.

ym

wa

ki mi.)

eyin mewa.)

loju.

1(

?Ja.)

o gun u l'obe.

Kun = to fill. (O to, ma fi si m<J, apo kun.)

Kun = to set on fire. (Aw9n pt4 r$ kun ile r^.)
Run = to emit an odour. (Aw9 W9nyi li o nrun.)

24.

Sun = to

25.

Sun

2(i.

P^n = to carry (on the back).

roast.

t" accuse.

(Ki o (ma) sun pran

(O

fi

mi sun niwaju

1'oni.

pba.

(lya 9019

li

o p<?n

'1119.)

ku.

03
27.

28.
29.
30.

Wpn = to

be dear or scarce.

(Isu w<j>n 1'pdun yi.

Dun = to grieve or give pain. (Oran na dun mi

Dun = to be sweet, or pleasing. (O dim nip mi.)
Dun = to sound, (llu dun 1'ode, nwpn iiki nyin.

SECTION

KEY
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Sew

this cloth for

2.

me.

The palm oil you are carrying is dripping.

The question devolves upon you.
Fire, or disease (the) did

The woman

8.

Light the lamp in

The moon

not spread.

spinning the cotton and sewing the cloth.

is

my

room.

10.

shining (light) by night.

I am not related to you.
The ship or boat is aground in the river.

11.

12.
13.

(That you) fry plantains for me.

The man breathes with difficulty, and will

14.

There

The

16.

18.

20.

21.

is

have chosen you as

15.

19.

i.

This orange tree is barren (unfruitful).

This child screams loudly.

7.

17.

TO ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES IN SECTION

(>.

9.

pupp.

is

no way

child

my

(again),

friend.

it

die.

ends.

stringing beads.

is

accompanied the stranger who came

They buried his dead (corpse) to-day.

to salute

me.

The turkey laid ten eggs.

That cloth attracts my eyes.

They are beating (pounding) yam in the market.

The thief pierced (stabbed) him with a knife.
It is enough, don't put more (again), the sack is full.

22.

His enemies set his house on

23.

These skins smell.

24.

That you roast the meat to-day.

me

25.

He

26.

The mother

27.

Yams

28.

That question grieves

29.

It pleases

30.

Drums sound

accused

fire.

before the king.

of the child carries the child (on her back).

are scarce this year.

me

(lit.,

me much.

sweetness knows mi).

outside, they are saluting you.

SECTION

3.

AUXILIARY VERBS.

"n"

The consonant

and
prefixes
the present imperfect tense of the verb.
1.

e=to do;

(''.</.)

2.

Ti

ti

nip

Nwpn

lp

Euphony governs
"

doing

it.

coming on the road.

is

sib?

=I

have been going

signs of the future tense

= they
= we will

tlu-iv.
:

will go.

go.

the change of form.

almost equivalent to may.

? ma lp = you may go.

a negative, and emphatic " not."

(e.g.
is

is

is

yio lp

Awa

Ma

denote

(e.g.

Ma

lie

lpna = he

"
"
are
O, and
yio

"

are used

Mo

4.

"

the sign of the complete tenses

Mo ti $e i?$ mi tan = I have done my work completely.

is

(e.g.

3.

in

nge-=d<iini:.

nse e Ipwp"

mbp

"

(e.g.

or ma ti lp = don't
=
do not go.
lp
Ma?ai lp = don't fail to go.

nia lo

go, or don't

g<>

ye;.

Mase

Ma

is

also used as

(e.g.

5.

Ama

Iwp ma

an adverb " very."

?eun jpjp=you are very kind indeed.

denotes what

is

customary.

Qmpde ama

(e.g.)

Ip

si

ile

(school)

^k<J

childn-ii

are

acciustomed to go to school.
6.

Aba and
(e.g.)

"

iba imply duty or obligation.

ti aba $e = things that we ought to do.
Awa iba ti lp = we should have gone.

Ohun

Iba "

is also used for would and should.

Proverb illustrating the use of " ama " and " iba "
"
iba
Ql9gb<^n ama wipe, talakA ko gb<^n
;

ul>vn,

iba lowo."
"

The wise man

not wise

accustomed to say, the poor anthey were wise, they would have

is

if

money."
7.

"

"
1.

is

prefixed to verbs to indicate

What

is

customary

usually buy.

(e.g.)

Bayi ni

nwpn

ir4

sothey

(Ifi

"

2.

"

used after

is

(e.g.

"

3.

"

ide

= they

to give emphasis
have not arrived.

Emi
Le

9.
is

tile

i=I have indeed seen

ri

"

equivalent to the English may,"

placed before verbs, thus:
(e.g. )
is

Mo
It

le

e e

Nwpn

le lp

also

is

= I can do
= they can

"

it.

can " and " might."

it.

go.

used with the negative participle "

ko

sometimes used for the sake of euphony

Eyi ki i?e temi = this is not mine.

Tile gives emphasis to propositions, thus

8.

It

kd "=not

Nwpn ko

is

(e.g.

"

le

?ai

ma

kpja

nibe=We must

sai

"
(e.y.

(cannot do

other than) pass there.

SECTION

4.

TENSES OF THE VERB.

Present.

Emi

ri

Emi

Mo

=1

le ri

le ri

mo

= 1 may

nti

= I am

seeing.

or can see.

Ki ng ri
Ki emi ri
Ki emi ki o
Bi

Emi

see.

^=Let me

see.

riJ

ba ri=If I

Emi ri bi?=Do
Awpn ri mi =

see.

I see

A ri mi
Kiawpntip
Ki a

ri

Bi a ba

Emi

li

=T hatthevseethee.

mi=If they see me.

ri=Me it is they see.
|

ri

ma

Bi a ba

see me.

ri

Iwp ri
Ki iwp

Iwp

They

ri

ti ri

^=See

thou.

mi= Though they should have seen me.

(Present Perfect. )

06
Post,

Emi

ri

Mo

ti
ti

ti

Emi ko

=1

ti

=I

'ri

Emi

saw.

nn = I have been

ti

seeing.

have not seen.

mi

ri

Awpn ti li mi
Emi li a ti ri
Emi

ri

til?

=I

=They have

seen me.

'

have seen (emphatic).

Future.

Emi yio ri
Emi o ri
Ng o ri
Emi yio ti

Awpn yio
A o n mi
Emi
Emi
X.B.

=1
=I

ri

shall see.

have seen.

shall

mi

ri

= I hey

will see

me.

ma ri = I shall be seeing.
ti ma ri = I shall have been

yio
yio

seeing.

Verbs is not deemed necessary in a book

but for the sake of those who wish it, see Part

full table of

kind

this

SECTION

1.

"

Fi

"

when

(e.g.

2.

"

(e.g.

3.

"

Fi

"

is

ft i

fise

sil$

=I

ti

Duro

Then

it is

(e.g.

put

it

ppa = I put

se

ft

vcrl>

to me.

down.

it

(to)

make

(a)

walking

used as a particle, which has no equivalent

Kini

4.

becomes the

very common.

and follows such phrases as

(e.g.

fi-fun,

preposition.

is

put,

Mo
Mo

FI."

na fun mi=give that book

Fi iwe

"Fi" = to

by "fun"

followed

5.

NOTES ON THE VERB

and " fun " becomes a

<>f

titi

ft

fl

used as the

in Kniilixli.

lo?
o

ti

-i i<-k.

= why

did you go?

duroP = what made you stay

d6 = wait until he comes.

first

syllable in

Fia?^fun = to empower.
Fiarahan = to show oneself.

many compound

words.

07

"

NOTES ON THE WORD

We

have seen

Reduplicated

RI."

use as a verb, ri=to see, and ri = to drown.

and following wa = to tremble, it becomes an
its

adverb.
(e.g.

In

wa

form

this

(e.g.

But there
"
" = never
ri
(e.g.

it

A0
is

= he

riri

trembled exceedingly.

also indicates a condition of filth.

na

riri

= that

cloth

is

another use to which

dirty.
is

it

put as an adverb,

before.
)

Awa ko

nkan b?

ri

= we

ri

have not seen such a

thing before.

"

NOTES ON THE WORDS

"

K6

"

K6 si=not
Baba ko

K6

"

changes into

Ko

"

Ki

"

"

KI."

lives.

id6

"

= father

kp

"

has not arrived.

when doubt

or denial

is

eyi? = did you not do this

Emi kp = not I.
"
"
"
"
ki
before the vowel
i."
changes into
=
not him.
(e.g. ) Ki i6 on
(e.g.

"

AND

the simple form of the negative.

is

(e.g.

"

"

KO

Iwo ko

intended.

Emi ki ie egb$ r$ = I am not his companion.

"
"
"
that
in order that."
used also as a conjunction,
=
In order that father
Ki baba ki
le fun mi 16wo
(e.g.
is

may
Ki awa
"

Ki " followed by "

(e.g.

"

Ki

"

is

Mo

= In order that we may go.

= before a certain time.
d6 = I slept before he arrived.

ki-to

to,"

sun ki on to

used also as

(e.g.)

me money.

give

ki a le lp

an.

auxiliary verb,

Ki nlp?=shall

I go

NOTES ON THE WORD

1.

Its first use, other

and so on,

is

in the

form

may
"

Bi baba

ti

As father
2.

Bi, followed
(e.g.

by

"

Bi ojo ba

BI."

than in the form of a verb,

of a conjunction.

Bi = as.
(e.g.

or shall.

wi,

said,

awa yio se.

we will do.

li

ba," bi-ba=if.
r<j>

emi ko

If it rains, I shall

ni Ip.

not go.

bi

= to

beget,

Bi ito a,k.

:t.

Mi,

followed by
bi

('.'/.)

"bi-lere" = to ask a question.

lere,

mi

--he asked me.

Bi aburo re

lere.

Ask your younger (brother or

4.

Bi,

coming at the end

a question.

sister)

of a sentence, indicates that a question

asked.

is

Iw9

(<'.</.)

ti

tpju adie hi
care of the fowls
':

Have you taken

SECTION

':

6.

SALUTATIONS.
"
Salutations with the prefix " oku
form a distinctive feature
"
"
of the Yoruba language ; others begin with
odi
and some
"
"
are formed by adding
nk9 at the end of a phrase.
;

"

The most useful of these ars given here but. the prefix oku
can be used with almost any verb.
The full form, the con/m< </
form in brackets, and the meaning of each salutation is here set
:

/>

forth.
1.

2.
'$.

4.
~>.

<>.

1.
8.
ft-

10.
11.

12.
13.

14.
15.
16.
17.

18
19.

20.
21.
22.

Oku ile
(Ku 'le o) = At home to you.
Oku di ile (Oku di 'le) = For a person's absence.
"
Oku ab$ (K' ab$ or K' abo)=Used for " Welcome
Oku atiJQ (K' atijp) =
After long absence.
Oku lailai
Oku irin
(Oku 'tin O) = Walking or travelling.
Oku pkg = On canoe, ship, train, motor, or carriage.
Oku $i?e o (Oku '?e o) = Working.
Oku lala = Strenuous toil.
Oku jokd = Sitting, or waiting.
Oku isimi = Resting.
Oku aj6 = Anxiety or solicitude.
Oku daro = Sympathy.
Oku owurp 6rg arp (K' ar9) = (Good) morning.
Oku al$ o (K' al? o) (Good) evening.
Oku 9san (K' asan) (Good) day.
Oku O ;=(! am) goinp.
Oku na owo (Oku na 'wo)^= Spending money.
Oku tita (Oku 'ta) = Selling things.
Oku alejo (Oku~alejo) = Visitors or strangers.
Oku pf9 = (For those) bereaved.
Oku Superior, or elder to inferior or younger.
;

09

Odi OWUTQ ; orp ; arp ; (Od' arp) Until

Odi pla ; (Od' pla) = Until to -morrow.

2:5.

'24.

moriiin;j;.

Odi igba kan ; (Odi 'gba kan) = Until a time.

Odi igba miran ; (Odi 'gba mi) = Until another time,

2.).
2<>.

29.

Odi abp ; (Od' abp = Until (you or I) come.

Odi igbose ; (Odi 'gbose) = Until another time, or good-bye.
He nkQ ? = (How is your house ? )

30.

Ompde nkp? = (How

27.

2S.

X.B.

31.
32.

33.
34.
3-">.

are the children?)

This form of enquiry

may be used about almost any person,

animal or thing.
There are yet other forms of salutations, a few of which are
here quoted.
n wa o = To persons going for a walk.
Ago le o = On entering a house.

ri

Ma wo
^ r 9r *

il?

(Ma wo

= Be

P?l? o = Of

'le)

= Look

to the ground.

careful.

sympathy

= Gently,

or at

meeting a person.

first

36.

P$l$pele

37.

Ara re ko le bi ?
= Is your body not well ?
Ara 'o le bi?
Ara pmpde ko le bi? = Are the children not well ?
K' a si nkan 'le o? = Is anything wrong at home
K'a soro bi? = Is anything difficult?
Ki
sun re o. = That you sleep well.

gently.
I

.-

38.
39.

40.
41.
42.
43.

Alafia k'o

44.

Ki

ki

X.B.

wa bi?=Have you

'le

peace

o.= (That you)

The name

of

any

salute your house.

"
ki o ki."
person may follow

SECTION

7.

APPROPRIATE ANSWERS TO SALUTATIONS.

Those numbered

1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19,

22, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36,

may

all

be acknowledged by saying

20, 21,

O or Ho
may all be
!

Those numbered 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
answered by repetition of the salutation addressed to you.
(e.g.

Be mb$

37,

5.

or

Oku lailai repeat, Oku lailai

wa = House is (all is well).
!

Omode wa = Children are (well).

Ago ya 0=A11 is ready (come).
38.
Ara mi le, or Ara mi ko da, (or
well.

ile

le)

= I am

well, or I

am not

70

Ara wpn

'<!'.

are

K6
K6

40.
41.
4

si

le, <>r
Hit

nkan

?oro, or

or

Ho

Ara wpn k6 da

= They

are well, or

They

Nothing wrong!

SOro di$ = Not diflicult. <r

often followed by Oluwa $$

It

is

wa

little diflicult.

Lord uateh

us.

= Peace!

4:*.

Alafla

44.

Repent the salutation.

(or le)

well.

SECTION

8.

TRANSLATION, YORUBA-ENGLISH.
SECTION 9.
Bi mo ti nriii 1'pna, mo kiyeei 9k9nrin kan

SEE KEY,
leba esin ati kyke.

na nf& eru k^k^ pelu irpriin esin na yo, o si 1'agbara. Xwon

ntpju r tob<j> ti o fi ye keke pba. Mo bi pkpnrin na lere, j><-. In
"
o si ni,
T'emi ni."
O si tun wipe, " ni^bati
tir$ li esin na je
mo ses^ ra a, o burujii, ki if^ sis^ rara, sugbpn emi ko ji; na a,
enyin si ri bi o ti ri nisisiyi." 0r9 yi wii mi J9J9, mo si iif<> ki a\v9n
timailu esin W9n, ki o 019 pe, nipa iseun a le 39 esin buburu di rere.
^sin gbcpri ju aw9ii eran iyoku 19, nw9ii si le ranti iwa ti a hit si W9ii.
Eisin

ibase rere, tabi buburu.

Pelupelu kiyesi, bi
N\v9ii si nlo agbara W9ii fun isin enia, lai gba

nw9n ti l'ajzl>ara to
owo 19W9 oluwa wpn.

tp ki a se iranti esin lakoko onje tabi omi mimu nitoripe on ko

"
Bi owe Yoruba ti mvi
bere nkankan lywQ wa.
l^lesin li <>
di eru esin," eyi ni pe l'9san 1'oru a ko le sai ma t9Ju r( >.

le

SECTION

KEY

9.

TO TRANSLATION IN SECTION

8.

As I was walking on the road, I noticed a man by the side of s

horse and cart. The horse was drawing the load with ease, and the
horse was fat, and strong. They were caring for it so well that
I asked the man if the horse
it was fit for the king's carriage.
"
"
when

He also said,
I bought
and he said
It is mine."
was bad, and did not want to work, but I would not flog it,
and you see what it is like now." This word pleased me much.
and I am wishing those who beat their horses, to know that by
kindness we can change a bad horse into a good one. The horse is
wiser than other animals and they can remember the way we treat
And
them, whether well or ill. Also notice how strong they are
they are using their strength in the service of men, without taking
money from their masters. It is right that we remember the
horse at the time of eating and drinking because it cannot ask us
"
The owner of the
for anything.
As the Yoruba proverb says
horse is the horse's slave," that is by day and night he must not
was
it,

his

it

fail

to care for

it.

71

PART

VII.

SECTION

1.

COMPOUND VERBS.
1.

These verbs are formed by the addition of a noun to a verb

(e.g.
B$ = to request; $b$ = a request; give the compound verb b$b$ = to supplicate.
)

Ba = to meet

^ru = fear

give the verb

b?ru =

to fear.

The following list contains the most

Bade = to arrive with.

useful of these verbs

Bile = to light upon (as a bird).

Bal? = to touch the ground.
Bar$ = to agree with.
Bere = to ask a question.

B?WO = to
Binu=to

visit.

vex.

B6ju=to veil the face.

Bole=to thatch (a house).

Bomi=to

take or dip water.

Bora = to cover the body.

Bori=to cover the head.

Bpju = to wash the face

(face only).

Bpl9 = to beat the floor (earthen

Bosi = to enter.
Bpwa = to come.

Bpw$=to
Bpw9=to
Bula = to

floor).

shake hands.
honour.
dilute.

Bul?=to patch.
Bupa = to vaccinate.
Busi=to add to.

Bue = to

be nearly

finished.

Buyin = to give praise

Daba = to suppose,

Dagba=to grow.

to.

to propose a motion.

72

Dahun

to

answer.

Dajp = to judge.

Dako

to

Daku=to
to

make a

farm.

faint.

make a

fire.

to mix.

Dari = to turn or steer.

Dar6 = to think or sympathise.

Da wo = to contribute money.

Daw$ = to

stay the hand.

Dena = to block the way.

D$ru=to tie a load (or pack).
D$ru = to scare.
Dija = to quarrel, (or cause a quarrel).

Diju=to shut the

eyes.

Dip6 = to succeed,

(or

become a

substitute).

Domi=to become
Dopin = to come

watery.
to an end.

Dup$ = to give thanks.

Duro = to stand still.
Fagi = to plane wood.
Fan = to shave the head.

F$ju = to be blind.
o break into a house.

= to

wash clothes

Gbaw$ = to
Gbe?

(clothes or vessels).

fast.

t" incur guilt.

Obina=to catch

fire.

Gb^ro = to reckon or consider.

Hun$Q, or wun?Q = to weave cloth.

Jagun = to fight (as in battle).
Jaiya=to be startled.

J^ = to deliver a message.
Jlya=to

suffer.

J6na=to burn.
Jpba = to reign.

Kaw6 = to

read.

Kede = to proclaim.
KOI in = to sing.
Ladi = to explain.
Laja = to settle a dispute.

Lala = to dream.

Lana = to make a road.

Loyun = to

conceive.

Lul$ = to strike the ground.

Mpju = to be tame (lit. to know the face

1119

and

oju).

Mple or kple=to build a house.

Pag$ = to pitch or erect a tent.
Pania=to murder.
Pa$? = to command.
P6jp = to assemble.
P?ja = to

fish

(lit.

to

kill

fish).

P6we = to speak a

proverb.
Ran?$ = to send on an errand.

Ranti = to remember.

R?le=to

plaster a house.

Rpbi = to

travail.

Rpjo = to

rain.

Riran = to see a vision.

Rufm = to break

the law.

Rulu = to stir up the town.

San wo = to pay money.
Sar6 or sur6=to run.
Sinku = to bury the dead.
miss the way.

work (from

= to

do

if=work).

be friendly.
rebel.

print.

break up the ground.

Wadi = to search out the cause.
1

to

wash the hands.

= to put on clothes.
Wple = to enter a house.
Yanu = to wonder at(from ya = to open
Y$na = to clear a path of weeds.
Ypju = to show the face.
>

$nu = mouth ).

74

SECTION

2.

COMPOUND VERBS.
2.

second class

formed by the union

is

(e.g.

of a verb,

and a noun.

them

preposition being inserted between

Bilere=to question, from bi = to ask;

li = in regard to
gre = a question.
Dalebi = to condemn, from da=-to make
;

li

= in

regard to

Kpsile = to forsake,
si

= on

ile

= guilt.
from kp = to

ebi

= ground

(lit.

refuse;

to leave

on the ground.

COMPOUND VERBS.
3.

third class

is

formed by the union of a verb, a noun, and

a second verb
(e.g.)

to endure, from mil = to cause; ara

duro
body;
(compound verb) = to stand (lit.) to
maintain one's position.

Maraduio

Mutiy6 = to be drunk, from mu = to drink

pti^
yo = to be fu]l = to be full of liquor.
liquor
;

Daraya = to be lively, from da = to make

ya= lively.
body

ara=the

N.B.

It

is not necessary to multiply instances, but the study of

derivation will prove both fascinating and profitable.

SECTION

THE COMPOUND VERBS.

3.

(FOR

CORRECTION OF

SENTENCES IN THIS LESSON SEE SECTION

The objects

4.

in the

of the fourth class of

(e.g.)

Mu-wa=(W<.) take

Mu owo wa= bring

1.

2.
3.
4.

compound verbs

middle of the word

bring.

money.
(O ba. 9019 mi j$. )
Ba-j$ = to spoil.
= to startle. (O ba. esin mi leru.)
Ba-l$rtl
(O bd $r^ mi 19.)
Ba-lp = to accompany.
Ba-rin = to walk with.
(Wd ba mi rm 19 sode. )

4.)

are placed

75

B$-w6 = to

5.

visit.
(Awpn <;>r^ nyin b$ nyin. wo.)
Da-lohun = to answer. (0*1119! da mi lohun.
Da-nil = to throw away.
(Wa, da omi nu.
Da-sil$ = to release,
(Ol9pa, da onde sil^.

').

7.

8.

Da-Sil$ = to

9.

(O da wara

spill.

Di-mu = to

sil?.)

hold.
mu sinsin.)
(Di
=
o
rescue.
(O
Gba-l<j>WQ
gba 91119 kekero l^wcj) r^.
Gba-gb$ = to believe. (Mo gba Qlprun Olodumare gb<J.
Gbe-kuro = to take from. (Gbe okuta kuro loju pna.
Le-kuro = to drive away.
(Le aw9n agutan kuro !<;>gba.
Mu-binu = to provoke. (Mase mu baba binu.

10.

11.

12.
13.

14.

15.

Nu-kuro = to wipe

16.

(Nil eri

off.

9W9

Pa-m<J = to keep.
Pa-da

r^ kuro.)

(Pa enu re m9 kuro ninu

/Pa iwa re da. \
y =to
change. I , T
\Yi ara r9 pada.
Yi-pada)

17.
18.

ibi.

'

19.

Ra-pada = to buy back. (Mo ra 9ru kan pada.)

R$-sil$ = to humiliate.
(R9 ara r^ sil9 niwaju Qlprun.
T$-bomi = to immerse. (L9 tq 9ran bomi.
T$-mpl$ = to trample upon. (Ma t^ mi m9l9
atel^s?
(Aja ama t9 oluwa r9 l^hin.
T^-l$hin = to follow.
(IjJl^in, 19, tii 93111 sil^.
Tu-sil^ = to set free.
Ya-kur6 = to separate. (Ya 91119 ^raii kuro l9d9 iya r^.

20.
21.

22.

23.

li

24.

25.

N.B.

The examples given of the use

composition and translation.

SECTION

KEY
1.

He spoilt
It startled

my child.
my horse.
He accompanied my friend.
Come, walk out with me.

5.

Your

(i.

Child answer me.

7.

Come

water

throw

away

prisoner.
9.

10.

He

spilt (the) milk.

Hold

it

firmly.

13

rescued

14.

(the)

little

(the)

from him.

God Almighty.

: believe in

release

12

3.

He

child

Take stone awa y from the

Drive

from

Constable,

4.

11.

friends visited you.

of these verbs will assist in

TO SECTION

4.

8.

26.

2.

r9.

away

(the)

sheep

(the) garden.

15

Do

16.

Wipe

17

not prov oke father.

the

dirt

from your

(the)

18.

th mout h from
Change thy conduct.

evil.

70

Turn your body round.

redeemed a slave.

19.

20. I

Humble your body

21.

23.

Do

Un-

s,-t

go,

horse free.
26.

Separate (the) youM- animal

its mother.

from

immerse the animal.

not trample me under

!<>

<

(The) dog follows IIH mii>t-r.

Horseman

(self)

before God.
_:.'.

24.
25.

feet.

your

SECTION

5.

COMPOUND VERBS.
A fifth class is formed by the union of two vt-rlis, lu-tween
which the object is placed, and the second verb is followed by ;i
noun which becomes part of the new verb
.").

(e.g.

ft

mi

possessive prefix )
6.

verb

A
;

me, from o = he

ridicules

$l$ya=ne

makes; mi = me

$e

= to

be;

fl

eleya (noun with

formed in the following order of words

a second verb
a noun another verb, and lastly a noun
sixth class

is

egbedegbeyp = to interpret, from $e = to do

= to hear
to hear
fede = language
gb<J

(e.g.)

gb$ =
$yp =

a turning over.
7.
A seventh class is formed by the union of a verb a noun
and a compound verb separated into two parts by its object
Ronupiwada = to repent, from tO = to think; inu =
(e.g.
;

mind;

An eighth class
8.
compound verb
(f,.g.)

is

pa-da = to change;

iwa = conduct.

formed by adding a noun to each part of

Foiibal0 = to worship, from

ba = to meet

il$

fl

= ground

= to

put;

ori

= head

A ninth class is formed by a simple verb, followed by a noun,

which a preposition and another noun are added
Daniloju = to be certain, from da = to flash; $ni =
(e.g.
a person; li = in
OJU = eye (lit. ) to flash in the

9.

to

eye.

X.B.

These instances

will suffice to

and afford material help

words.

show how words

in arriving at the

are built up,

meanings of

77

SECTION

6.

EXTENDED LIST OF COMPOUND VERBS AND

SENTENCES.
SEE
CORRECTION
SECTION
(FOR
ILLUSTRATIVE

1.

-.
3.

4.
5.
t>.

7.

8.

9.

10.

(Mo f^ ba alufa 8919.)

Ba-Sprp = to speak with.
Ba-wi=to rebuke. (Mase ba 91119 re wi tobiji. )
Ba-wijp = to judge.

(Ql9run yio ba gbogbo aiye wiJ9Ba-yQ = to rejoice with. (Ba mi y<|>, mo ri 91119 mi.)
B$-lori = to behead.
(Iw9 b^ ewure lori. )
B6-mQle = to cover up. (Nw9n bo oku m9le.

Bu-je = to

12.

Da-lebi = to condemn.

bite.

(Aja r$

14.

Dd-loju = to be sure.
Dd-loro = to torture.

15.

D&-lamu = to

D&-S9 = to mention.
De-lade = to crown.

18.

De-lewpn

19.

D^-lara = to soothe.

20.

Fa-gun = to spin

21.
22.

to chain.

li

o bu

mi

91119

je.)

(A da 9k9iirin lebi.)
(Ohun na da mi loju. )
(Mase da enikeni loro.
(Ihin na da mi lamu. )
(O da 9r9 na so-)

upset.

17.

16.

11.

13.

7.)

Ba-dar6 = to sympathise. (Mo ba nyin daro. )

Ba-gbe = to abide.
(Wa, ba mi gbe, ale fere 19 tan.)
Ba-ja = to fight with.
(Nwpn ba ara W9n ja. )
Ba-l6 = to advise.
(Tal'o ba 9 ro 9ran na. )

(Nw9n de ak^bi r^ lade.)

(A de aw9n old Iew9n.)
(O d$ mi lara.
)

(Mase fa

out.

^9

re gun.)

fi
Fi-han = to show.
(J(j>,
9na 9Ja han mi.)
= to put down. (Fi em re feile l9d9 mi.)
Fi-sil$

24.

(Emi k6 f^ gbe agb^n mi kale.)

Gbe-kal? = to set down.
Gbe-dide = to raise up.
(Ol9run yio gbe enikan dide. )

25.

Je-niya=to punish.

20.

K<Jl-sile

23.

= to

(O je 9ni9 buburu niya. )

(Je ki enia buburu

forsake.

kip <)na

28.

La-ja = to pass through.

(Nw9n la odo ja.)
(Le eran 19 kiakia. )
Le-lp to drive off.

29.

Ni-lata

30.

Pe-lejp

27.

31.
32.

33.
34.
3;i.

sile.

r^

= to
= to

annoy.

(Qran na, ni mi lara.)

(Ngo pe 9k9nrin na leJ9.

Ran-lpw^ = to help. (Qr^ mi li o ran mi l9w9". )
R6-k9Ja=to pass over. (Emi yio re nyin k9Ja.

summons.

= to become. (O
T$-bomi = to immerse.
Sp-di

T^-lprun = to satisfy.

39

wa

di 91119 r$.

(A t$ Jesu b9mi
(Oiije

na

mi

1'oclo

Iprun.

Jordan.)

78

SECTION

KEY

TO ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES IN SECTION

Come, abide with me, the evening

They fought amongst themselves.
Who advised you in that matter.
I want to speak with the minister.
Do not rebuke your child so much.

4.
;">.

I.

8.

(Jod will judge all the world.

Rejoice with me, I have found

9.

You beheaded a

7.

They covered up the dead

His dog bit

12.
13.
14.

15.
16.
7.

18.
19.

20.

my

my

is

almost

child.

(body).

child.

The man was condemned.

Of that thing I am certain.
not torture anyone.
The news upset me.
He mentioned that word.
They crowned his firstborn.
The thieves were chained.
It soothes me.
Do not lengthen out your words (speech).

Do

show me the way

to the market.

21.

Please,

22.

26.

Leave your load with me.

I do not want to set my basket down.
God will raise someone up.
He punished the naughty child.
Let the wicked man forsake his way.

27.

They

28.

Drive

29.
30.

That question annoys me.

I will summon that man.

31.

My

32.

over you.
us (to become) his children.
Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan.
That food satisfies me.

23.
24.

25.

33.
34.
35.

spent.

goat.

10.
1

6.

sympathise with you.

1.

2.

3.

7.

crossed (or passed through) the river.

off the animal quickly.

friend helped (or helps) me.

I will pass

He made

SECTION

8.

TRANSLATION, YORUBA-ENGLISH.

KEY, SECTION

9.

LAB AL ABA.
Iyin kekcre kan ti k6 ju ori (pin) lo, li o ndi labalaba. Nighati
eyin yi ba f6, kokoro kekere kan ama jade nibe. Bi kokoro no. ti
O nfi ese wonyi
kere to, o l^se merindilogun, o si 16 ju mejila.

79
o

oju wpnyi riran.

Lojukanna ti o jade ninu eyin o b^re
igbagbogbo ni ima fi j euii, nitorina o tete dagba. Ewekewe
li o
nje fuu on.J9 r$. Awp r^ ko si dagba bi ara r$, a si ma b<p awy
r bi ejo ti ma b<j> awp tir$.
Nigbati o ba se e, o b$re si ta okun bi
olowu yi ara r$ ka, ati ninu okun yi, a yi ara r$ pada patapata. A
di I;>9r9ku, ko si li ori, ko si li 939, sugboii a dabi oku.
Lakoko diq
si, a b9 of9 ikehin, a si mura jade bi labalaba.
Nigbana ama hu
apa k9l9k9l9, a si ma b^r9 si f6 soke, a si ma ba sori itana kiri lati
"
ma mu oyin r$. Bi owe Yoruba kail ti wipe
Tinu, tehin, ni

rin,
si

si nfi

9un

labalaba

fi

ifi

iyin fun Qlprun."

SECTION

KEY

9.

TO TRANSLATION IN SECTION

8.

THE BUTTERFLY.
A

small egg not larger than a pin's head becomes a butterfly.

the egg breaks a small grub comes out thence.
As small as
the grub is, it has sixteen feet and twelve eyes.
It walks with these
feet and sees with these eyes.
At once when it comes out from the
egg it begins to eat, it is always eating therefore it soon grows.
Any kind of leaf it eats as food. Its skin does not grow as its body,
and it sheds its skin as the snake sheds its skin. In time it begins
to spin cotton round its body like a spinner, and in this cotton
it changes altogether its form.
It soon becomes dead, and
has no head, and no feet, but is as if dead. In a little time it sheds
its skin for the last time, and prepares to come out as a butterfly.
Then it grows wings gently, and begins to fly up and settle on the
As the Yoruba proverb
flowers round about to gather their honey.
"
Within, without, the butterfly gives praise to God."
says

When

80

PART

VIII.

NOUNS.

SECTION

1.

NOUNS FORMED BY VOWEL PREFIXES ATTACHED

TO A ROOT VERB.
(e.g.

K6=to

Ake^an

cut.

= to abuse.
Mi = to breathe.
Wa = to be.
J6 = to drip.
Bfi

D$ = to hunt.
Ba=to meet.
Gb6 = to

perish.

F$ = to find
i

= to

Ro = to
R6 = to

fault.

open.
cause pain.

*^ = to

narrate.

work.

*ise

is

axe.

fibu= abuse.
E;mi-

spirit.

lwa= existence.
C)jo=rain.

Qd? = a hunter.
Iba = a meeting.

Egb6 = perdition.
ES $ = fault-finding.
L?inu

= an

opening.

Or6 = pain.
0rp==word.
!??

= work.

the present form of the verb.

By adding different vowels to the same root different words are

formed
(e.g.)

W6 = to

fold.

Ew6=leaf.
Iwe = book.

Owe = a

proverb.

SECTION

2.

NOUNS FORMED BY SYLLABIC PREFIXES.

1.

Aba = prefix
Abata, from ti = to sell=a market place

meet

(lit.

\vc

to sell).

Alabapade, from pade = to meet = a chance occurrence.

81
2.

Abi
(e.g.

Abil(?k9=from li=to
married woman.)

have;

pkp=husband.

(A

Abiy?=from iy$= feathers. (A feathered creature.)

Abiwo = from iwo = a horn. (A horned animal.)
3.

Abu
(e.g.

Abum$=from
AbuSQ = frorn

N.B.
4.

= against.
=
sp to speak.

(An exaggeration.)
(A falsehood.)
(A farm village.)

mQ*

Abul6=from ile= house.

The idea of adding to is conveyed by the

prefix

Ada
(e.g.

Adaniduro=from 9ni= a person, and duro=to stand

still.
(A detainer.)
Adalu = from lu = to mix. (Adulteration.)
Adap9 = from po=to mingle with. (Union,

fellowship.
5.

or

An
(e.g.)

Aipnahan=from

ban = to

pna=way,

shew.

(A

guide.)
6.

Ibu
<e.g.)

Ibujoko = from joko = to

Ibugb6 = from gbe = to

(A resting place.)
(A habitation.)

sit.

live.

= from J9 = to eat. (An eating place.)

(A resting
Ibusp = from sp = to set (a load) down.
Ibuj?

place for carriers.)

On, prefixed
consonants
7.

(e.g.

to

"

words which have

Onde = from de = to bind or

Ongb9=from gb? = to

"

gb

"

as

(Prisoner.)
(Thirst or dryness. )

3.

To
of

or

shackle.

thirst.

SECTION

d,"

give an example of the changes that may be made in the form

a word and to stimulate further study in this connection, take

the verbs 9$

= to

(a)

sin or offend

$=to

and

ri

= to

see.

sin.

$? = sin.

= to have sin.
= sinner.
= the act of having sin.
= without sin.
= freedom from sin.
one who

is

without

sin.

82

Ri

(6)

t<>

see.

= seeing.
Ari = one who sees.
Atiri = to be seen (a
Biri = a being seen.
Airi = unseen.
Ill

seeing).

Lairl=not having the sight (unseen).

Atimari = continued seeing.

SECTION

4.

PREFIXES DENOTING OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION.

Nouns beginning with a, e, e, i, o, 9 and u, are changed into
nouns denoting ownership or possession by the use of distinctive
prefixes.

These prefixes are formed to correspond with the initial vowel

of the word.
One of the two vowels is silent and the contracted

form
1.

of the

noun

Prefix

"

is

ala

given in brackets in the following examples

" = one who

has.

from abd = defence (Alabd) = Defender.

from ade= crowned (Alade) = Crowned one.
Ala-adi? ; from adi$=fowl (Aladi$) = Poulterer.
from aga = chair (Alaga) = Chairman.
Ala-aga
Ala-agbara ; from agbara= strength (Alagbara) = Strong one.
"
" = one who has.
2.
Prefix
ele
Ala-abo

Ala-ad e

Ele-elubp ; from elub9 = yam flour (Elelubp) = Yam flour seller.

Ele-er6 ; from erfc = profit (Elere) = One who makes profit.

Ele-epo
Ele-6s6
Ele-e?u
3.

from epO = palm oil (E3epo) = Palm oil vendor.

from eso = fruit El ??6) = Possessing fruit.
from e$u = demon (B3e?il) = Demoniac.

Prefix

"
$1$

"=one who

has.

Ele-^ja ; from ^ja=fish (5l9Ja) = Fishmonger.

from 9mi= spirit (51^mi) = A living thing.
;
from 95in = horse (51^in) = Horseman, or owner of horse.
$?in
$mu ; from ^mu = palm wine (51^mu) = Palm wine seller,
from ^ran=meat (^l9ran) = Meat seller.
^ran
from
?rp ;
9rp= machinery (51$rp) = Engineer.
=
?9^ ; from $$$ = sin (5199^) Sinner.
9WQU ; from ewpn= shackle (El9W9n) = Prisoner.
;

83

4.

Prefix

"

oni

" = one who

has.

from dundu = fried yam = Seller of fried yam.

Oni dundu
from igbagbp" = faith (Onigbagb$)= Believer.
Oni igbagbp"
from bata = shoe = Owner, or maker of shoes.
Oni bata
from bode = customs = Customs official.
Oni bode
from idajp = judgment (OnidaJQ)= Judge.
Oni idajp
from ile= house (Onile) = Householder.
Oni ile
from ilu = drum (Onilu) = Drummer.
Oni ilu
from iyp = salt (Oniyp) = Salt dealer.
Oni iyp
from iu = yam (Oni?u)=Yam seller.
Oni iu
from suru = patience = Patient one.
Oni suru
from iona = craft or trade (Oni?pna) = Craftsman.
Oni i?ona
;

5.

Olo
Olo
Olo
Olo
Olo
Olo
Olo
6.

"olo" = one who

Prefix

has.

from obi = kola (01obi) = Kola nut dealer.

obirin ; from obirin = woman (Olobirin) = A married man.
from ohun = thing (Olohun) = Owner.
ohun
omi ; from omi= water (Olomi) = Water seller.
orin ; from orin=song (Olorin) = Singer.
= truth (016tp)= Truthful one.
Otitp ; from otitp
from owo = money (01owo) = A rich person.
OWO
oye ; from oye = understanding (01oye) = A wise person.

Olo obi

"olo" = one who

Prefix

has.

from pb$ = soup (01^b$) = Soup maker.

from pbp = monkey (Qlpbp) = Owner of monkey.
Qlp pbp
Qlp pgba ; from pgba = garden (Qlpgba) = Owner of garden, or

Olp pb^

gardener.

from pkp = ship (Olpkp) = Shipowner.

from pmp = child (Qlpmp) = One having child.
from
ppa
ppa = staff (Qlppa) = Staff bearer or constable.
from pp$ = palm tree (QlJp^) = Owner of palm trees.
ppe
prp ; from prp = wealth (Ql^rp) = Weal thy person.
prun ; from prun = heaven (Qlp"run) = God.

Olp pkp
Qlp
Qlp

Qlp
Qlp

Qlp
7.

pmp

Prefix

"

olu

"=one who

has, (the

power

to do, etc.)

Olu ibukun ; from ibukun= blessing (Olubukun)= Blessed one.

from if $ = love (Oluf$) = Beloved.
Olu if 9
Olu igbala ; from igbala= salvation (Olugbala) = Saviour.
;

Olu igbagbp ; same as Onigbagbp (both forms are used).

Olu ikp*ni ; from ik$ni = teaching (01uk(Jni) = Teacher.

M
Old

ipil$$$

from

ipil^^ = beginning

(Olupil^) = Author,

or

beginner.

Olu iranlpwg"

Olu irapada
Old itunu ;

from iranlpwp" -help (Oluranlpw^) = Helper.

from irapada = redemption (Olurapada)= Redeemer.
from itunu = comfort (Olutunu)= Comforter.
;

SECTION

5.

THE NEGATIVE PREFIX

"

AI."

"
is attached to verbs to form nouns of a negative
its use is so common that we give a few examples
and
meaning
from
m$=to be clean =Uncleanness.
Aim<j,
= Ignorance.
Ainip, from m$ = to know
Aidara, from dara=to be good = Unpleasantness.
Aidele, from d6 = to arrive =Non -arrival.
Aidpgba, from dpgba=to be equal = Inequality.
Aidim, from dim = to be sweet = Sourness.
Aif, from f$ = to will = Unwillingness.
= Unbrokenness.
Aifp", from f$=to break
Aijiya, from jiya = to suffer = Impunity.
Aikii, from kfi=to die = Deathlessness.
Ailera, from le=to be strong = 111 -health.
Ainireti, from reti=to hope = Hopelessness.
Airi, from ri = to see = Invisibility.
Aie, from ^e=to do = Inaction.
= Crookedness.
Aitp, from t^=to be straight
=
from
wash
Unwashed.
Aiw$,
w$=to
"

1.

2.

Ai

The negative

"

alai

prefix

"

denoting non-possession.

from b$ru=to fear=a fearless person.

= an unbeliever.
^, from gbagb$=to believe
Alaim$, from m^ = to be clean = an unclean person.
Alailprnp, from li=to have
pmp=child = a childless person.
Sri=filth=a spotless person.
Alaileri, from li=to have
ede= language = an illiterate person.
Alaigbede, from gb^ = to hear
;

Alailobirin,

Alai more,

from li=to have

obirin = woman = a bachelor.
from or e= goodness
m^=to know = an ungrateful
;

person.
Alainibaba, from ni
AlaigdtQ,

from

se

= to have baba=father=an orphan.

= to do otitp = truth=an unfaithful person.
;

85

The
having an
3.

"
"
ai
is also used in the construction of
prefix
affirmative sense

(e.g.

ijlemele,

from $e = to do;

words

im$l$ = indolence = to be

indolent.

Ai?emel$ = without indolence

(i.e.)

industrious.

from e=to do; iye=mind meji=two=

to be of two minds (i.e.) in doubt.
Aiiyemeji = without doubt (i.e.) certainty.
iyemej!,'

SECTION

6.

NOUNS FORMED BY REDUPLICATION.

= Fisherman.
(e-9-) PeJap?ja
From pa = to kill $ja = fish.
Jagunj agun = Warrior.
From ja = to fight
ogun = war.

2.

(e-<7-)

Riri=A

From

ri

thing seen.

= to

see.

Jija=A

fight.

From

= to fight.

Lilp

ja

=A

going.

From lp=to

go.

Rira = Something buyable.

From ra = to buy.

N.B.
lilp

3.

For euphony's sake the

jija

and

first

vowel

is

"
changed into

"

in

rira.

The words

de, iyi, ki or

li

are inserted in the reduplicated

word
(e.g.

Iran-de-iran

(Irandiran)

= From

generation

to

generation.
From Iran a generation.

Qw$-de-pw<J (Qwp'dpwp' ) = Tradition.

From pw^ = hand.

Ekuru-iyi = ekuru (Ekuruyekuru) = This very dust.

From ekuru = dust.

Eran-ki-^ran

From

^r an

Eni-ki-?ni

From

^ni

(Erank?ran)=Any animal.

= animal

(Enik?ni)=Any

one.

= person.

Qmp-li-pmp

(Qmplpmp) = The

owner.

From pmp= child.

child

of

the

child

86

SECTION

7.

NOUNS FORMED BY COMPOSITION.

1-

(e.g.

Iyemeji=Two minds (doubt).

iye = mind;
meji = two.

From

?nikeji= Partner.

From $ni= person

2.

(e.g.

Iyp-oyinbo = Sugar

= salt

keji= second.

(lit.

white man's

salt.

oyinbo = white man.

Erin-omi= Hippopotamus (lit. ) water elephant.

From

(e.g.

= elephant omi = water.

=
A
complete speech.
Asptan
From a = prefix SQ = to speak; tan = to
From

3.

iyp

erin

Agb6soke=A lifting up.

From a = prefix
gW = to
;

4.

(e.g.)

lift

soke

finish.

ui..

Iyalero= Hostess.
ile = house
ero = traveller.
=
A
sower.
Afpnrugbin
From a = prefix
iru = seed
fpn = to scatter:
gbin = to plant.

From iya= mother

SECTION

8.

VOCABULARY OF COMPOUND NOUNS.

Abaniku-pr=a
Abdni?e

faithful friend,

one who dies with

(lit.

us).

co-worker.

Ab^nilori=an executioner,

Abiamp=a young mother,

(lit.

one who cuts

(a respectful

off the head).

mode of addressing a mother).

Abojuto = superintendence.
Abpii$a = an idolator.

mp = to know; pran = question.

who prohibits, from da-l?kun t" forbid.
Adurotini = one who stands by (i.e. a supporter.

Adampran

Ad&nilekun

a counsellor, from
<>nr

fiancee (applied to early betrothals).

Agbagba= elders (applied to the older men of a

Ai^spna

Agbawi= advocacy,

(lit.

to take

and speak

community).

for).

87

Agbowode = a tax

from gba = to receive

collector,

ode = outside.

OWO = money

Aj umpe = co-operation.
Akp"bi

= first-born,

from kp"= first

bi

= to

beget.

Atinabple = an incendiary (lit. put fire to house).

Atun$e = renovation (lit. to do again).

Ay anf= beloved, from yan = to choose

f^

= to

love.

Ayidayida = changeableness.
B$ruk(?ru=any kind of fear.
firekere

= any

kind of image.
kind of leaf.

Ewekewe=any

Fonif 6ni = neatness

Ibawi = reproof.

Ib6mpl$= concealment, from b6=to cover;

ground.
Ibpsarin = mediation, from bp = to come

nip"

arin

= against

il?

= between.

ara =
Ifanimpra = sociableness, from fa = to draw; rap" = against
body.
Kenukonu=akiss, from fl=to put ; nu=mouth; konu = on mouth.
Ifojukoju = face to face (i.e. in the presence of).
;

If 9W(JSQW(J

= agreement

(lit.

to

put hand to hand).

Igb?k$le = trust, from gbe = to be;

I J0gun

= inheritance,

from

Ikasil9ru.n= responsibility

le = upon.
k$ = trust
have ogun = possessions.
to place on the neck).

= to

(lit.

Imunibinu= provocation, from mu=to cause

ibinu = anger.
=
=
IranlpwQ" assistance, from ran to send
pw$ = hand.
lrobinuje= anguish, from lro= thought; ba-je = to spoil; inu=
;

mind.
Jronupiwada = repentance, from lro = thought
pada = to
inu = mind
iwa = conduct.
lspdQino = adoption, from sp-di = to become
omp = child.
;

turn

any kind

of work.

= satisfaction,
= acceptance,

from t$ = to press
prun = neck.
from t$ = to press
pw^ = hand
;

gba =

to receive.

= purification,

from w$ = to wash;

inu=mind

m^ =

clean.

Jabajabd= jerked beef.

Jadunjadun = an epicurean, from
Janijani

= whitlow.

J?dijedi= piles.
crow.
Kanakana
.1

j^

= to

eat

adfln

= savoury

food.

38

Kantikanti

-a

Labalaba

Mutimuti

drunkard, from

ii

Ranwuranwu
N.B.

knat.

butterfly.

a spinner,

These examples

mu-to

drink; pti= liquor.

from ran = to spin

will

owu = cotton.

stimulate interest

in

studying

the

derivation of words.

SECTION

9.

SENTENCES FOR TRANSLATION.

SECTION
1.

2.

Leses^

3.

4.
5.

si

mi emi
a

lye

si

ih6

imu

r$

(KEY, SEE

10.)
;

enia

si

di alaye okan.

S9kal9 si egbe.
Li 9run apadi li o gb6 oju r$ soke, o mb^ ninu 139 or6.
Wasu (fry na ma se aisimi li akok6, ati laise akok6.
Oniruru abiy^ li o wa ni igbo.
li

fi

to enia m(=>dogb9n

abu!6 wa.

6.

Nw9n

7.

14.

Qk9nrin na k6 se, adaniduro li on.

Qk9nrin na seun, o se af9nahan lai bere.
Lab 9 ojiji igi W9nyi li a ri ibujoko daradara.
Nitori ibi 6kunkun aiye W9nni li o kun fun ibugbe Ika.
Ona J"181 ^ li ibus9 meji sibi.
^s^ 9niti nw9n fi S9k9S9k9 pa lara a de e ninu irin.
Bi 9rimgb9 ba ngb9 9nik9ni, 9 J9 ki o wa S9d9 mi, ki o w4 mu.
Alaliu li Ol9run, on yio si dabobo wa.

15.

Qm9

16.

Aladi? nta adio

17.

Igi eles6

18.

Jjll^niu

8.

9.

10.
11.

12.
13.

li

alade

li

o pp

li

Qy9-

9Ja li ale.
aye fun l9gba.
li

23.

li a fi
bura pe, on k& bu omi la ^mu r$.
Aw9n onibode k6 ni nkankan ise m9.
Olomi nta omi, bi 9nipe on na li o da a.
Ql9gba ko le sai ma J9 eso 9gba r$.
Ki a ma w6 Jesu ti ise olupilese, ati olupari igbagb^ wa.
Abraham k6 siyemeji si ileri Ol9run.

24.

Lati aiyeraiye

25.

Af9nrugbin kan

19.

20.
21.
22.

si

aiyeraiye
(li

Iw9

j^

Q^run.

o) jade 19 fonrugbin.

89

SECTION

KEY
1.

And He
became

10.

SENTENCES IN SECTION

TO

breathed into his nostrils the breath of

9.

life;

and man

a living soul.

4.

Step by step we descend to perdition.

In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in pain.
Preach the word 1)3 not restful in season, and out of season.

5.

All kinds of feathered creatures are in (the) forest.

6.

The people are about twenty-five at our village.

That man is not good, a hinderer (he is).
That man (was) kind, he became our guide without

2.
3.

7.
8.

9.

10.

(our)

asking (him).
Under (the) shade of these trees, we found a good resting place.
For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of
cruelty.

11.
12.
13.
14.

(The) way is as far as two resting places from here.

Whose feet they hurt with fetters he was bound in
If anyone thirst let him come unto me, and drink.
God is our defender, and He will defend us.
;

iron.

16.

(The) children of the crown (princes) are many in Oy?.

(The) poulterer is selling fowls in the market in the evening.

17.

We

15.

18.

give space to a fruit bearing tree in the garden.

(The) palm wine seller swears that he does not dilute his wine.

19.

The customs

20.

(The) water

21.

officials

(Yoruba) have nothing to do now.

water as if he himself made it.

seller is selling

(The) gardener cannot do other than eat (the) fruit of his

garden.

23.

That we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our

Abraham wavered not at (the) promise of God.

24.

From

25.

22.

everlasting to everlasting

sower went forth to sow.

Thou

art God.

faith.

'.'II

PART

IX.

MISCELL ANEOUS.

SECTION

1.

NUMERALS.
1

91

CHANGE OF PROCESS.
181
182
183

184
185
186
187
188
189
190

Qkanlel9g9san.
Ejilel9g9san.

Etalel9g9san.
Erinlel9g9san.
Arunlel9g9san.
Erinladinigba (14 less 200)
]taladinigba.
Ejiladinigba.

Qkanladinigba.
Ewadinigba.

191
192
193

194
195
196
197
198
199
200

Esandinigba.
J9dinigba.
Ejedinigba.
Efadinigba.

Arundinigba.
Erindinigba.
^tadinigba.
Ejidinigba.

Qkandinigba.
Igba.

FURTHER CHANGE OF PROCESS.

321

200

Igba.

201

Qkanlelugba
^walelugba.

210
220
221

(1

Ogunlelugba o
(220 plus

le

1).

226

Qgb9nlelugba o di merin

230

Qgb9nlelugba

(220 plus

le

(30

Qgb9nlelugba o
(230 plus

Qtadinu( 60 less than 400).

Ad9tadirinwo (50 less
_ than 400).
Ojidinu (40 less than 400).

9kan

360
370

marun

380

le

1).

Qgb9nlelugba o

240
250
260
270
280
290

(230 plus 5).

Ojilugba (Ogojilugba).
Ad9talelugba.
Qtalugba (Qgotalugba).
Ad9rinlelugba.
Qrinlugba (Qg9rinlugba).
Qdun o di ewa (300

340
350

plus

235

291
300
301

Ad9rindirinwo o di 9kan
400 less (70 minus 1)
i.e.

200).

le

di

esan.

Qdun.

Qdun

plus

le

9kan

(300

1).

319

Qdun

320

_ (300 plus 19).

Qrindinu (Qg9rindinirinwo) (80 less than 400).

le

m9kandilogun

minus

(70

less

69.

Qgb9ndirinwo
than 400).
Ogundinu (20

(30

less

less

than

400).

390

Ewadirinwo (10

less

than

400).

400

Irinwo.

N.B. Even numbers are

abbreviated from 400 to
500 and the same process as from 200 to 300.

less 10).

Qdun

i.e.

331

5).

4).

1)

Ad9rindirinwo
than 400).

marun

Ogunlelugba o

minus

79.

330

9kan

225

231

(80

minus

Ogunlelugba.

(230 less

Qrindinu o di 9kan 400

less

plus 200).

500
600
700
800
900
1000

Edegb?ta.
?gbeta.
^degberin.
^gberin.

^d9gberun.
Egberun.

92

SECTION

2.

NOTES ON NUMERALS.
1.

The

syllables di=leas or minus,

words from sixteen up,

in the

(e.g.

Ij!imdiJogun

= 20

2.

To say
(e.g.

two men,"

etc.,

3.

To say

etc.

the letter

"

m"

is

used as a prefix.

pkpnrin meji=two men.

= ten
prefix.

plus, inserted

4.

$rinlelogun = 20 + 4,
"

and le=add or

explain the system of counting.

will

the

"

horses.

third day," etc., the letter

"

k?ta = third day.

osu k$wa = tenth month.
"
two by two," etc., the word two
say

k"

is

used as a

(e.g.) ijp

4.

To

(e.g.

5.

is

reduplicated.

two.

mejimeji=two by
m$tam$ta = three by

To say "once

three.

or twice," etc., the letter

"1"

is

used as a

"

"

and " k

prefix.

Ifkan once.
= twice.
If meji
To say " firstly or secondly
(e.g.)

6.

"'

the prefixes

le

are used.
(e.g.) lfkini

If keji

= firstly.
= secondly.

NUMERALS.

FRACTIONAL PARTS.

One whole =gbogbo

i=idameji (idaji).
i=idameta.
l=idamerin.
J=idamarun.
i = idam ef a.
-

= iduinc

j,'.

4=idameJ9.
= idamesan.
A = idamewa.
i

r$.

One-third = idaketa.

One-fourth=idakerin.
One-fifth=idakarun.

One -sixth = idak efa.

One -seventh = idakeje.
One-eighth = idakejp.
One-ninth = idakesan.

One-tenth =idakewa.

''

93

COWRIE TABLE.

=
=
bunches =
=
heads
=
bags

40 cowries

string, called

ogoji

5 strings

bunch
head

igbio

bag

pk$

10
10
4

1
1
1

$gba

=
=
=
=

}.

of 3d.

of 3d.

6d.
5s.

English money.

In speaking of English pounds sterling, it should be remembered

that the native multiplies the number by four to get an idea of
their value.

50 = 50X4 = Igba pkp (200 bags of cowries).

to thread forty shells on a string and to
five of these together in one bunch.
It

was the custom

SECTION

tie

3.

YORUBA PROVERBS.
is personified in the following proverb
Abanigbele k6 mp oju eni.
One who lives with us in the house not know the face of anyone.
(i.e.) An inmate which cannot be tamed.

1.

Fire

2.

Abaiyeje ki ise ifi

To a world spoiler

idi

pran han.
not safe to reveal the reason or root

it is

of the question, (i.e.)

3.

A
4.

5.

mischief

o ba ara rp je.
slanderer (it is) spoils his

Abanije

maker

is superficial.

li

own

self

(reputation).

Asp funfun on abawpn ki irp rara.

A white cloth and a stain never agree.

A play on the

words ab$b$ = a fan, and

abpbp ni ibp pran

ni ibp iku

An advocate pleads against death

abb$ = an advocate
bi oru

7.

8.

mu

ab^be ni

an advocate pleads a cause

the heat be great, a fan pleads against

less discomforting.
if

6.

ba

it

(i.e.)

make

it

Ipa (pna) abpre li okun it$.

The path of the needle it is the thread follows.
Abetele ni ifp oju onidajp, nitori abetelp k6 le se idajp otp.
A bribe blinds the eyes of a judge, for bribes cannot do justice.
Biotiwukori, a ki rerin alaisan, bpya ohun

ti

o se e 1'oni, a se

iwp

1'pla.
Whatever it be,

we should not laugh at a sick person, perhaps

him to-day will trouble us to-morrow.

the thing that troubles

94
9.

lniti o ba

m$ 9ran
He who knows a

ni ibu abuja eke.

beforehand confounds

ifi ehin tl.

disappoints, does not back
trusted.

Adarijini

Oba ko
Afenu

ni

ade

fila,

ni

ti

A
15.

on

ni.

crown he

is

tan, o

chaff

(i.e.

nw4

Af6m< ko

ni

gb6ngb6
no root

igi

parasite has

it

17.

Agbo meji
Bi a
If

19.

20.

21.

22.

yio fi ara yi.

seeking some clean person
ni ibatan.

ba

le

Unli-.

ag<

li

a tete pa.
will first pitch

a tent.

k6 kan ile, nwpn ki ijo ajoran.

If house not touch house, they do not easily catch
Akamp ekun I'o ni iy9nu.
To surround a leopard involves trouble.
Bi

all trees.

ki mu omi li akoto kan.

cannot drink water from the same calabash.

we cannot build a house, we

ile

fire.

ama ba eni rere j$.

Rags disgrace a good looking person.
Akisa

Aknlii ni

The

23.

kit

is

valueless.

claims relationship with

Agbari ko ni mudunmudim.
A (mere) skull has no brains.

Two rams

has.

ti

gbogbo

16.

18.

it is

eni rere

pig having wallowed in mire,

to rub against.

The

not to be

Iyangb6.

pa afp

J?lede

li

cap, but a

To be blown away
14.

(i.e.) is

o pari ija.
forgives ends the dispute.

The king has no

13.

you up

li

One who
12.

liar.

Adanil6ju ki se

One who
11.

ibu abuji = cuts short his story).

(lit.

10.

on

tel$,

matter

ti

9leran.

born (of animals) is the owners.

(It is customary for those who own stock to put them
in care of herdsmen, hence this proverb.)
first

Alafia

baba <>.

Peace

is

father to friendship.

24.

Tinu, tehin, ni labalaba fi ifi iyln fun Ql9run.

It is with both the inner and outer parts of its body that the

25.

Bi alagbara ba je 9 niya ki o fi erin si i.

If a powerful man illtreat you, smile at him.

26.

Kd
No

butterfly praises God.

si alasa ti it& igboku, gbogbo \vnn ni ita oyin.

snuff dealer sells poor snuff, they all sell honey.

95

27.

28.

ti o
counsellor

Am^ran

Enu

li

With

aparo

29.

Diedie
Little

only
li

by

fi

ni ilaja pran.

who knows
fi

mouth

its

fat,

owe

1119

proverbs, soon ends the dispute.

ipe pra, ani, kiki pra, kiki pra.

the aparo proclaims its fatness, crying, only

fat.

mp

little

it

apere.

we know (understand)

is

signs.

30.

Eniti o f^ arewa o f^ iypnu.

He who loves (marries) a beauty, loves (marries) trouble.
(To love a woman and to be much in her company is,
according to native opinion, equivalent to marriage.)

31.

Asa ti o gbe mi li adie, k6 duro, nitori o mp ohun ti o ti se.

The hawk which took my chicken, does not wait, for he knows
what he has done.

32.

Bale

33.

In the father's absence, the house goes to ruin.

Agba ko si, ilu baje, bale ku, ile di ahoro.
The elders being dead the town is spoilt, father being dead
the house is desolate.

34.

Igbo

The

ile

kii ile di

biribiri,

forest

is

ahoro.

okunkun

biribiri,

okunkun

very dark and the night

yio sete igbo.

very dark,, but the

is

darkness of the night will surpass that of the forest

darkness covers everything.
35.

Qta enia ni iba oruko rp je.

man's enemy spoils his name.
Bpla fun agba, awpn ni baba wa.
Give honour to the elders, they are our

(i.e.)

A
36.

37.

Kokoro li o di labalaba.
The grub becomes a butterfly.

38.

Eniti a se Tore

He
39.

fathers.

ko dupe, aba se e ni ibi ko ni dun u.

kindness and (he) does not give thanks,
should we illtreat him, he will not feel it.

to

ti

whom we show

Ehoro ni ti plpfa li o soro.

The hare says, it is the archer's part that

is difficult (i.e.

easy for the hare to avoid the archer, but

archer to catch the hare.
40.

41.

42.

It is

difficult for the

Orukp ti a 39 9019, ni im9" 9m9 1'ara.

The name we give a child becomes natural to it.
Ekute kd li enu iba ologbo wiJ9.
The rat has no voice to call the cat to account.
Elub9" se egbodo

Yam

flour

ri,

was once

bfni eru se
soft

his father's house.

yam,

baba r$ ri.
was once a child

91119 ni ile

so a slave

in

96

43.

a ki b 91-11 eniti a ran 9 si.

li a bijru
sends us on an errand it is we fear, we do not fear

Eniti o ran ni nl se

He who
him

to

whom we

are sent.

44.

lyan ni imu eni je eso igikigi.

Famine compels one to eat fruit

46.

Esinsin k6 mi? ikii, jije ni tir^.

The fly heeds not death, to eat is all its own.

46.

Esu k6 ni Iwa, a kp ile r$ ni ita.

The devil having no character, his house

of

common

(Devil -houses are

in

asked why they put them in the

"

47.

Who

Ewure

o re

je,

elede

wants the devil

ile

is built

house

re ile

si

of tree.

in tin- street.

and when
have been asked

the streets,

street, I

in the

agutan je o

any kind

")
J9,

aiwa

ile li

o ba

j$.

Goat eats and goes home sheep eats and goes home eating,
and not coming home, spoils the (character) of the pig.
;

48.

Bi Olprun ba kf-l es$ si wa Iprun, a gbe\

God should charge sin upon us (on our neck) we perish.

If

mba

49.

Didim

50.

For pleasure, we eat vegetables with a friend, for we luivo

enough at home.
Bi eke otosi k6 ito 'de oke I'arp, ato l&le.
If a poor man's rafter does not reach the top in the morning,
it will be long enough in the evening (i.e.) he will devise

li

o dun,

some way

li

of

making

pr$ je

it

ef(j>,

ti ile

eni to ni ije.

serve his purpose.

SECTION

4.

EXAMPLE OF LITERAL TRANSLATION FROM YORUBA

TO ENGLISH.

PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL

1.

Ok9iirin kan

2.

Man

1.

eyi

2.

this

1.

2.

omokpnrin meji

one had son two

SON.

wi fun baba
younger within them said unto father
r$ pe, baba, fun mi ni iw<n ogiin
"
father give me have measure inheritance
his say,

aburo

tori

ti

which

1.

fun wpn.
unto them.

it

ninu

of

wpn

rni."

1.

2.

2.

li

K6

si

pin ohun

Ini r$
divide thing possession his
to ijp melokan lehin
si

head mine."

He and

Not and many day few

after

1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.
2.
1.

2.
1.

pmpkpnrin aburo ko uhuii

son younger (gather) thing
gbogbo ti o ni J9, o si mu 9na ajo
all which he has (ed), he and took
way journey
r$ p^n 19 si ilu okere, nibe li o
his carry go to town distance, there is he
gbe na gbogbo ini r$ ni inakuna.
spend all possessions his in (any kind of spending).
Nigbati o si ba gbogbo r$ je tan
When he and (sp) all his (oilt) finish,
o si
iyan nla wa imu ni ilu na
famine great came take in town that
he and
eyi

eyi,

this

this,

bre

idi

si

alaini.

began to become (without having possession)

O si 19, o da ara r^ pp m9 91^9 kan

(i.e.)

2.

He and

1.

ni

2.

he and send him go to farm his

Ay 9 ni iba fi je onje
to watch pig.
Joy is would put eat food
ti aw9n ?lede nje li ajeyo
enikeni
which they pig are eating in plenty
anyone
ko si fifun u.
Nigbati oju r$ wale,
not and give him.
When eyes his came to

1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.

in

si

(in)

against

"

he said,

melomelo

ni,

alagbase baba mi
The labourers father

Aw9n
"

my

onje ajeyo, ati

how much more is it have food plenty and
"
ajeti, emi si nku fun ebi
oat and throw away, I and am dying of hunger."
Emi o dide, emi o t<;> baba mi 19,
li

li

I will to father
"

my

2.

I will arise,

1.

emi o

2.

I will

1.

des$ si 9run, ati niwaju re,

have sinned against heaven, and before thoo,
emi ko si ye ti a ba ma pe mi
I not and fit that we may call me

2.
1.

2.

go,

wi fun u pe,
Baba, emi
and say unto him, say, '' Father,

si

r9 m9" : fi mi se bi
child thy again
put mi

9m9

9kan
do as one

li

is

1.

ninu aw9n alagbase r$."

within the labourers thy."
O si dide, o si t<j> baba r^ 19.
ugb9ii
He and arise, he and to father his go.

2.
1.

2.

ti

2.

citizen

one

oko r$

1.

J.

19

2.

1.

his

body

elede.

39

2.

(jo)

ran a

si

lati

1.

2.

he

go,

na on
town that

ilu

in want.

But

ground

M
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.
1.

2.

uiylxili

<>

xvii

li

"

1.

9m9-9d9 r$

servant his say,

2.
1.

2.

pe,

baba

mu

"You

r<;

ayo as9 igumva

bring choice cloth

Mm

rnl

I',

1.

mu

bring fatling

9gb(j>r9

pa a
kill

1.

ariya

2.

merriment
tiiii

al>npa wa,
for kill

ki
,

si

that you and

ki

it

malu
cow

9 ma J9, ki 9 si ma se
that you may eat, that you and
nitori ',>"",' mi yi ti ku, o si

1.

2.

2.

w&, ki 9 fi wo 9 ; 9 si fi oruka
that you put clothe
you and put ring
HV V' al
bata si 939 n;
I'V
v
9 si
on liim hand, and shoe on feet his ; you and

2.

1.

<

2.
1

okrrt.

li

when ho was at distance. futhrr liis

si sure, o
rnmo
ri
aim ^ v,
i,
saw him, pity du him, he and rail, ho press
nu ko o li 91111.
9 li pruii, o si fi
him on neck, he and put mouth meet him <m mouth.
"
Qmp na si wi fun u pe, Baba, emi
"
Child that and said unto him say,
Father, I
ti des^ si 9run,
ati iiiwaju 19, emi ko
have sinned against heaven, and before thec, I nut
si y9 ti a ba ma pe mi li <,>"",'
n;
and fit that we may call me is child thy
019"."
ugb9n baba wi fun aw9n
But father said unto they
again."

ye;

again live

o
;

for

child

my

this

may do

was dead, he and

mu, a si ri i.
he was lost, we and

ti

see

him.

Luke

SECTION

II--'

I.

5.

TRANSLATION, ENGLISH- YOKUBA.

SECTION

15,

SEE KEY,

6.

The hand, more than any other part of the body, is the organ of
touch.
It is one of the gateways by which the influence's of the
outer world enter into the soul.

In many respects the hand, as the organ of touch, is the most

wonderful of the organs of the senses.
The eye, the ear and the
nostril simply stand open
light, sound, and fragrance enter,
;

and we are compelled to see, to hear, and to smell.

But the hand
selects what it shall touch, and touches what it pleases
unlike
the eye which must often gaze at horrible sights from which it
;

99

cannot turn, and the

of discordant sounds,

ear, which cannot escape from the torture

and the nostril, which cannot protect itself

from hateful odours.

Moreover, the hand cares not only for its own wants, but when
the other organs of the senses are rendered useless, takes their duties
The hand of the blind man goes with him as an eye
upon it.
through the streets, and safely threads for him all the devious way.
It looks for him at the faces of his friends, and tells him whose
It peruses books for him,
kindly features are gazing on him.
and quickens the long hours by its silent readings.

SECTION

KEY

6.

TO TRANSLATION IN SECTION

gbogbo apa ara m! lp li o je ohun

kan nipa eyiti ohun ode aiye fi w$ pkan.

Ow<;> ni, ju

<pna

ifpkan.

5.

je enu

L'pna pup9 9w<j>, bi ohun ti a fi kan nkan, li o j^ ohun iyanu jul9

a fi mi? nkan.
Oju, eti, ati imu li o si sile, ki im9le, iro, ati orim
didun ki o le w 9 9, a si fi ipa mu wa riran, ki a gb<;>, ki a si gboruii.
$ugb9ii 9w<p ama yan. ohun ti o kan, a si ma kan ohun ti o wu u ;
oju li o yat<;> nipe, on ko le sai ma tejunup ohun ti o banil^ru, ti on
ko si le yi ara r<? pada ; ati eti, ti ko le sa kuro l9d9 iro segesege
ti ndiin ni
ati iho imu, eyiti ko le pa ara r<j m9 kuro lorim buburu.
ti

Pelupelu 9W9 ni nt9Ju, ki si se kiki ami ara r, sugb9n nigbati

ohun im9 iyoku ko le sise w9n m9", 9W9 ni nse ise W9n.
Owe? ti
af9"ju ama ba a 19 bi oju si ita, a si ma ja 9ixa fun u larin 9na wiwc?.
Qw9 li on fi wo oju aw9n 9r^ r^, a si ma pe oju aw9n ti ntejum9
9 pelu inu rere fun u.
Qwcji ni nka iwe fun u, a si ma mu ki wakati
gigun ki o yara k9Ja, bi on

ti

nka.

SECTION

7.

EXAMPLES OF IDIOMATIC TRANSLATION.

SEE KEY, Lu.

10. 38-42.

O si se bi nw9n ti ni'9na, Jesu fi W9 ileto kan ; obirin kan

1.
oloruk9 Martha, To si gba a sile r$. O si laburo kan oloruk9 Mary,
ugb9n Martha ni
oleyi 16 joko l^se Jesu, o si fi eti gb(J 9r9 r^.
"
use aniyan ju lati ma salejo f'alejo, o si t9 Jesu wa, wipe,
Oluwa,
iwo k& nani pe, aburo mi I'o fi mi le, emi nikan, lati ma salejo fun 9 ?
"
Jesu si da a lohun, o wi fun
Wi fun u, pe, ki o wa ran mi 19W9
u, Martha, Martha, iw9 nsajo, o si ns'aniyan 1'ohun pupp ; sugb9n
ohun kansoso a kd le se alaini ; Mary To si yan ipa rere na, eyiti
!

a ko ni gba 19W9

r^.

10)

SBH KKV, ACTS

28.

1-6.

Nigbati gbogbo won si yp tan, ni nwon wti m^> pe, M.-litu

Ki .i se ore die I'IUVOH alaigbede na so fun wa ;
erekusu im.
wa 89019. nitori 6jo
nitoriti n won daiu'i, n\von si gba. gbogbo
r'i
ati nitori otiitu inu ju.
MI) in.
Nigbati Paul ti ko idi igi
di
idant'i jn. ti o si gb
ka ina, pamnli; kan t'inu ina jade,
2.

li

Nigbati awon alaigbede ri ejo oloro na l9w<J ri), nw9n

I9W9urn won so, wipe, ko siyemeji, apania I'9k9nrin yi, bi o til<; y<,>
On si gb^ii ejo
1'oknntan, sib9 ^san ko je k'o wa layo m9.
na sina, kd si e e ni nkan. {^ugbpn nw9n nreti po, ara r<; yio wi'i,
tabi on iba ^ubu lule, a si ku l9gan
sugb9n lehin igbati nw9ii ti
wo o pe, ti nw9n si ri pe, nkan ko $e e, mv9ii yi inu <>yo w(,)n pnd:i,
nw9n si wipe 9l9run kan 1'oluwa r^.
i

rn<|>

lui

SEE KEY, ACTS

26. 24-29.

Bi Paul ti ns9F9 f'ara 1-9, Festus kigbe 1'ohun rara, wipe,

3.
Paul, ori r9 baJ9, 9k< akoju To ba 9 1'ori 39." ^ugbpn on wipe,
ori mi k6 baJ9, Festus 9l9lajul9
sugb9n 9^- 619, ati ti airekoja
1'emi ns9 jade.
Nitori 9ba mfy nkan W9nyi, niwaju 9niti emi 113^9
nitori o da mi loju pe, a k6 fi nkan W9nyi pam9 1'oju
l'aib$ru
"
nitori a k6 se nkan yi nik9k9.
nyin
Agrippa qh>\ "
Kabiyesi
woli
bi
?
Emi
iw9 gba aw9n
m9 pe, iw9 sa gbagb9
gb<J
"
Nigbana Agrippa wi fun Paul pe, iw9 f9r9 yi mi pada l'9kan
"
Paul si wipe,
emi b9 Ql9run, ki si se fun ^nyin
sigbagb9 Kristi.
kansoso, ijugb9ii fun gbogbo aw9ii t'o gb<? $r9 mi 1'oni, pe, ki nwon
f9re, ki nw9n si dabi emi na patapata, afi ew9n W9nyi."
"

101

PART

X.

"
CONJUGATION OF THE VERB
ACTIVE VOICE.

"=TO

RI

SEE.

INDICATIVE MOOD.

PRESENT AND PAST INDEFINITE TENSES

(ONE FORM FOR BOTH).
Plural.

Singular.
1.

2.

3.

Emi ri=I see, or saw.

IWQ ri = Thou seeat, or sawest.
On ii = He sees, or saw.

1.

Awa ri=We

2.

Enyin

3.

Nwon

see, or

saw.

= Ye

see,{or saw.
ri=They see. or saw.
ri

PRESENT IMPERFECT TENSE.

Plural.

Singular.
1.

2.
3.

= I am seeing.
IWQ nri = Thou art seeing.
On nil = He is seeing.
Emi

nri

1.

2.

3.

= We are seeing.
Enyin nri = Ye are seeing.
Nwpn nri = They are seeing.
Awa

nri

PRESENT AND PAST COMPLETE TENSES

(ONE FORM ONLY).
1.

Emi ti ri= I

have, or had seen.

1.

Awa

ti

ri

= We

have, or had

seen.
2.

IWQ

ri= Thou

ti

hast, or hadst

2.

3.

On

ti ri

= He

Enyin

ti

ri

= Ye

have, or had

seen.

seen.

has, or

had

seen.

3.

Nwpn

ti ri

= They have,

or

had

seen.

PRESENT AND PAST PERFECT OF CONTINUED ACTION

(ONE FORM ONLY).
1.

2.
3.
1.

2.
3.

Emi

ti

nri=I have, or had been

seeing.

= Thou hast, or hadst been seeing.

On ti nri = He has, or had been seeing.
Awa ti nri = We have, or had been seeing.
nri = Ye have, or had been seeing.
Enyin
NwQn ti nri = They have, or had been seeing.
Iwo

ti

nri

ti

-Singular.

-Plural.

102

EMPHATIC PAST TENSE.

1.

Emi

til?

'2.

Iwp

til? ri

3.

On

ri

have (indeed) seen.

Thou hast (indeed) seen.

He has (indeed) seen.

til? ri

= We have

I.

Awa

-.

Enyin

til? ri

3.

Nwpn

til?

til? ri

Singular

(indeed) seen.

= Ye have (indeed) seen.

ri = They have (indeed) seen.

-Plural.

FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE.

Plural.

Singular.
1.

2.

3.

= I shall see.
Iwp yio ri = Thou wilt see.
On yio ri = He will see.
Emi

yio

ri

1.

2.

3.

Awa

ri=We shall see.

Enyin yio ri = Ye will see.
Nwpn yio ri = They will see.
yio

FUTURE COMPLETE TENSE.

1.
"2.

3.
1.

2.

3.

= I shall have seen.

=
Thou wilt have seen.
Iwp yio
On yio ti ri = He will have seen.
Awa yio ti ri = We shall have seen.
Enyin yio ti ri = Ye will have seen.
Emi

yio

Nwpn

yio

1.

Emi

yio

2.

Iwo

yio

3.
1.

2.
3.

ti

ti

ri

ri

ti

ri=They

will

-Plural.

have seen.

FUTURE IMPERFECT TENSE.

ma ri = I shall be seeing.
ma ri = Thou wilt be seeing.

ma ri^He will be seeing.

Awa yio ma ri = We shall be seeing.
Enyin yio ma ri = Ye will be seeing.
Nwpn yio ma ri = Thcy will be seeing.
On

Singular.

-Singular.

yio

Plural.
j-

FUTURE PERFECT OF CONTINUED ACTION.

1.

2.

2.

3.

shall have been seeing.

ma ri
ma ri = Thou wilt have been seeing.
Iwp
On yio ti ma ri=Hc will have been seeing.
Awa yio ti ma ri=-We shall have been seeing.
Enyin yio ti ma ri Y will have been seeing.
Nwpn yio ti ma ri They will have been seeing.

Emi

yio

yio

ti

ti

Singular.

Plural.
[
'

103

POTENTIAL MOOD.

PRESENT INDEFINITE TENSE.

Plural.

Singular.
1.

Mo

-.

Iwp

le ri

le

=I

or can see.

may,

ri=Thou mayst,

or

1.

Awa le ri = We may, or can see.

2.

Einyin le

canst see.
'!.

On

le ri

= He

ri=Ye may,

or can

see.

may, or can

see.

Nwpn

3.

le ri

= They may,

or can

see.

IMPERATIVE MOOD.
Here

\ve

have a great variety

(e.g.)

forms with the same meaning

of

Ri, or iwp ri.

Ki o ri, or ki iwp ki o
Ma ri, or iwp ma n.

Ki
Ki
Ki
Ki
Ki
Ki
Ki

ma

ri.

See, or see thou.

or ki iwp ki o

ri,

ng ri.
emi ri.
emi ki o

me

[Let
ri.

ri.

ma

ri.

'

see.

'

Let him

on ri.
on ki o

see.

j"

ri.

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD.
Here each variation
Bi=if

ki

= that

is

made by

bi-tile

the use of particles

= though

iba?epe

mo

ri=If

Bi

2.

Bi iwp ri=If thou see.

Bi on ri = If he sees.

3.

I see.

to say.

awa ri=If we

1.

Bi

2.

Bi enyin ri=If ye see.

Bi nwpn ri=K they see.

3.

1st Pers. Sing.

Ki emi
Bi emi

if

Plural.

Singular.
1.

=That

ri
tile

ri

I see.

= Though

Bikoepe emi ri= Unless

I see.

I see.

see.

104

INFINITIVE MOOD.

PERFECT TENSE.

INDEFINITE TENSE.

A ri,

or

ma ri = To be

or lati

lati ri,

Atiri, or li a
seen.

seen.

ti ri

= To have been

X.B. Interrogative and Negative sentences an- forim-il

use of particles

l>\

th-

PRESENT INDEFINITE TENSE.

1.

Emi

2.

Iwp

''.

On

P=Do

ri bi

ri bi

= Does

1.

.'!.

Emi ha

see, or

he see, or

ri bi ?

Iwp ha

On ha

ri bi ?

ri bi ?

etc.

PRESENT AND PAST COMPLETE TENSED.

NEGATIVE:
2.

or

I see,

?=Dost thou

ri bi

Emi k6 ti iri=I have, or had not seen.

Iwp k6 ti iri = Thou hast, or hadst not seen.
On ko ti iri = He has, or has not seen, etc.

PASSIVE VOICE.
The following
Voice.

"A"

is

(e.g.

table supplies a near equivalent to the

the contracted form of

ri

Emi

mi = they
li

ti

ri

see me,

=Me

it is

(i.e.) I

"

awpn

am

Passive

" = thoy

seen by th.-m.

they have seen.

INDICATIVE MOOD.

PRESENT INDEFINITE TENSE.

Plural.

Singular.
1.

2.

3.

A
A
A

ri

ri
ri

mi=They

see me.

9 = They see thee.

i=They see him.

1.

2.

3.

A ri wa = They see us.

A ri nyin = They see you.
A ri wpn = They see them.

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE.

1.

ti ri

mi = They have seen

1.

A ti ri wa = They hav.-

>.-rn u-.

me.
-.

A ti ri p = They have seen thee.

2.

ti

I?.

A ti ri = They

3.

ti

have seen him.

ri nyin---T !>
you.
ri

lia\.

wpn -They huve

them.

seen

105

FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE.

1

2.
3.

A
A
A

ri

mi

ri

ri

They will see me.

They will see thee.
Thoy will see him.

1.

2.
3.

A O ri wa = They will see us.

A ri nyin They will see you.
A ori won They will see them.

IMPERATIVE MOOD.
Ki a
Ki a

That they see thee.

p
nyin = That they see you.

ri
ri

(i.e.)

Be

thou, or you seen

by

them.

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD.
Plural.

Singular.

Bi a

ri

2.

Bi a

ri

Bi a

ri

mi=If they

1.

3.

see me.

9 = If they see thee.

i = If they see him.

Other forms

1.

Bi a

ri

2.

Bi a

ri

3.

Bi a

ri

wa = If they

see us.

nyin = If they see you.

W9n = If they see them.

mi = That they see me.

Bioba?epe a ri mi = Though they see me.
Bikosepe a ri mi = Unless they see me.
Ki a

ri

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE.

1.

Bi a ba

ti

ri

mi=If they should have seen me

2.

Bi a ba

ti

ri

9= If they should have seen thee

3.

Bi a ba

ti

ri

i= If they should have seen him

1.

Bi a ba

ti

ri

2.

Bi a ba

ti

ri

3.

Bi a ba

of verbs

ti ri

ri

Singular.

\
wa= If they should have seen us
nyin = If they should have seen you ^Plural.
W9U =If they should have seen them j

The two forms may be used

N.B.

to express the Passive Voice

mi = They

see

me, or Emi

li

ri

= Me

it is

they see,

etc.

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