e ku igbadun
e ku igbadun is the Yoruba way to say cheers when making a toast.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'you (plural or polite) are congratulated on the enjoyment/pleasure'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of e makes this a polite or plural form, which is appropriate when making a toast to a group or to someone older than you.
Did you know?
- The word igbadun is built from the roots gbé meaning 'to carry' and adùn meaning 'sweetness'. This suggests that enjoyment in Yoruba is conceptualized as something one physically carries.
- The expression ku is a versatile greeting marker in Yoruba, used not just for toasts but to acknowledge someone's current state, such as their work, sleep or arrival.
- In traditional Yoruba society, the act of drinking and toasting is often accompanied by specific gestures of respect, such as bowing or using the right hand to receive a drink.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries igbadun, ku, CC BY-SA 4.0.
