Ṣé wèrè ni ẹ́?
The English phrase "are you mad?" is translated into Yoruba as Ṣé wèrè ni ẹ́?
This question is used to ask if someone is experiencing mental illness or is behaving in an insane manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interrogative marker Ṣé, the noun wèrè (madness/insanity), the copula ni (is/it is) and the pronoun ẹ́ (you). Literally, it translates to "Is it madness that is you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The subject of the question changes based on the pronoun used. You can use Ṣé wèrè ni o? to direct the question at a single person in an informal or singular context. To ask if a group of people are mad, change the pronoun to wọn to form Ṣé wèrè ni wọn? to mean "Are they mad?"
Did you know?
- In traditional Yoruba settings, asking someone if they are mad is often seen as a challenge to their 'orí' or inner head, which governs a person's destiny and sanity.
- While Ṣé wèrè ni ẹ́? asks about madness, the Yoruba language has a distinct way of discussing 'madness' caused by spiritual possession versus medical insanity, often using different terminology for the two.
- While English uses 'mad' to mean both angry and insane, the Yoruba word wèrè focuses strictly on the lack of mental stability and would not be used to ask if someone is simply 'angry'.
Example conversation
Two friends arguing about a reckless decision.
- YejideKí ló dé tí ẹ ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀?Why did you do that?
- OlumideMo kàn fẹ́ dánwò rẹ̀ lójú ni.I just wanted to test it.
- YejideṢé wèrè ni ẹ́?Are you mad?
- OlumideRárá, mo mọ ohun tí mò ń ṣe.No, I know what I am doing.
