ẹ̀gbọ́n màmá mi obìnrin
The Yoruba word for aunt is ẹ̀gbọ́n màmá mi obìnrin. Wiktionary also lists ẹ̀gbọ́n bàbá mi obìnrin and àbúrò màmá mi obìnrin.
Meaning: a parent's sister or sister-in-law (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yoruba |
|---|
| ẹ̀gbọ́n màmá mi obìnrin |
| ẹ̀gbọ́n bàbá mi obìnrin |
| àbúrò màmá mi obìnrin |
| àbúrò bàbá mi obìnrin |
Some Yoruba speakers in urban areas may adopt the word 'Aunty' to address their aunt.
Did you know?
- If an aunt is younger than your parent, the phrase changes from using ẹ̀gbọ́n (elder) to àbúrò (younger).
- In many Yoruba-speaking households, calling an older female relative by her name is considered highly disrespectful, so these long descriptive phrases act as essential honorifics.
- While màmá means 'mother', in many Yoruba contexts it is used as a general term of respect for any older woman, not just a biological parent.
Example sentences for Yoruba are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Olumide introduces his aunt to Yejide.
- OlumideYejide, wò ẹ̀gbọ́n màmá mi obìnrin.Yejide, look, this is my aunt.
- YejideẸ kú àbọ̀, màá.Welcome, ma.
- OlumideÓ jẹ́ ẹ̀gbọ́n màmá mi obìnrin tòótọ́.She is truly my aunt.
- YejideInú mi dùn láti mọ̀ ọ́.I am happy to know her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aunt” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
