aninilara
The English word 'bully' is translated into Yoruba as aninilara.
The noun aninilara refers to a person who is intentionally cruel to others. If you wish to express the action of bullying someone, you can use the verb form ni ilara si.
Meaning: a person who is intentionally cruel to others (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun aninilara is used for both a male and a female bully. To describe the act of bullying, the verb phrase ni ilara si is employed.
Did you know?
- Yoruba uses a system of tonal markers to distinguish meanings, and changing the tone of the words in aninilara could completely change the meaning from 'bully' to something unrelated.
- In Yoruba culture, a person described as aninilara is often seen as someone who refuses to respect the social order or elders.
- The prefix ani- is used in many other Yoruba labels for people, such as ani-lówó for someone who has money, showing a pattern of defining people by what they 'own' or 'possess'.
Examples in context
- Má ṣe jẹ́ aninilara sí ẹlòmíràn.Do not be a bully to others.
Example conversation
Yejide and Tunde are talking about a mean student at school.
- YejideTunde, ṣé o rí bí aninilara yẹn ṣe ń sọ̀rọ̀?Tunde, did you see how that bully is talking?
- TundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ó burú gan.Yes, he is very bad.
- YejideA gbọ́dọ̀ sọ fún ọ̀gá wa.We must tell our teacher.
- TundeMo gba èyí là, ẹ jẹ́ kí a lọ.I agree, let us go.
