ọmọ burúkú
The English phrase "bad boy" is translated into Yoruba as ọmọ burúkú.
ọmọ burúkú is used to describe a male child or young man who behaves poorly or is naughty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ọmọ, meaning "child" and burúkú, meaning "bad" or "evil".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Yoruba, the adjective burúkú follows the noun ọmọ to describe it.
Did you know?
- In Yoruba culture, calling a child ọmọ burúkú can be a serious social stigma because children are seen as the primary reflection of their parents' character.
- In some Yoruba dialects, the phrase ọmọ burúkú can be used ironically among close friends as a form of teasing or endearment.
- The word ọmọ is a cognate shared across several West African languages, including ọma in Igala and ọmọ in Edo.
Examples in context
- Wọn sọ pé ó jẹ́ ọmọ burúkú.They say he is a bad boy.
- Má ṣe jẹ́ kí ó di ọmọ burúkú.Do not let him become a bad boy.
Example conversation
Titi is telling Babatunde about her nephew's behavior.
- BabatundeKí ló ṣẹ́lẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ọmọ yẹn?What happened with that child?
- TitiÓ jẹ́ ọmọ burúkú nínú ilé.He is a bad boy in the house.
- BabatundeǸjẹ́ ó n gbọ́ràn?Does he obey?
- TitiRárá, ó jẹ́ ọmọ burúkú gan-an.No, he is a very bad boy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ọmọ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
