dákẹ́
The Yoruba phrase for "be quiet" is dákẹ́.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb dákẹ́ means to be silent or to cease a sound.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the bare verb dákẹ́ as a command is direct and can sound blunt or informal depending on the tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ẹ dákẹ́ is also used when addressing multiple people or a single person with respect.
Did you know?
- Yoruba distinguishes between the silence of dákẹ́ and the silence of someone who is speechless from shock or awe, which uses different terminology.
- In certain proverbial contexts, being 'quiet' is equated with wisdom, suggesting that a person who 'dákẹ́' is one who possesses deep thought.
- To tell someone to 'shut up' more aggressively than dákẹ́, one might use terms related to 'closing the mouth', which carries a much more confrontational weight.
Examples in context
- Dákẹ́, mo fẹ́ sùn.Be quiet, I want to sleep.
Example conversation
Tunde and Folake are in a library.
- TundeFolake, dákẹ́ jọ̀ọ́.Folake, be quiet please.
- FolakeKí ló sẹ́lẹ̀?What is happening?
- TundeA wà ní ilé-ìwé.We are in the library.
- FolakeÀhá, mo bẹ́ẹ̀.Oh, I see.
