ọmọ
/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄/
In Yoruba, the English phrase "child" can be translated as ọmọ, èwe or ọmọdé.
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yoruba | IPA |
|---|---|
| ọmọ | /ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄/ |
| èwe | |
| ọmọdé |
The word ọmọ is used broadly to refer to a person's offspring, regardless of whether they are an infant or an adult. The term Ọmọrinrin can be used specifically to refer to a young child or a toddler.
Which one should you use?
While ọmọ can refer to a person's offspring of any age, ọmọdé specifically refers to a young child or a minor.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make ọmọ plural, you add the plural marker àwọn before it to form àwọn ọmọ (the children).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄/
Did you know?
- The term ọmọ is often used to create compound words for animals, such as ọmọ ẹran for 'kid' or 'calf', treating animals as the 'children' of their species.
- Beyond family, ọmọ is used in titles to indicate someone's origin or heritage, effectively meaning 'the child of' a certain town or lineage.
- The root of ọmọ is thought to be tied to the ancient concept of 'giving birth', essentially making the word synonymous with the act of begetting.
Examples in context
- Ọmọ náà dára.The child is good.
- Ọmọ mi kò sùn.My child is not sleeping.
Example conversation
Titi and Babatunde are talking about family.
- TitiṢé o ní ọmọ?Do you have a child?
- BabatundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo ní ọmọ kan.Yes, I have one child.
- Titiǩọmọ rẹ jẹ́ ọmọkunrin?Is your child a son?
- BabatundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ọmọkunrin ni.Yes, it is a son.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries ọmọ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ọmọ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
