fún mi lówó
To say "give me money" in Yoruba, use fún mi lówó.
This phrase is used to request or command that someone provide money to the speaker. You can make the request more polite by adding the word jọwọ, which means "please".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase fún mi lówó is composed of fún (give), mi (me) and lówó (with money/money).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make it polite or to show respect to an elder, add the honorific pronoun Ẹ to the beginning of the phrase as Ẹ fún mi lówó.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form fún mi lówó uses a contraction of ní owó (with money) into lówó, which is common in natural speech.
Did you know?
- The word for money, owó, shares its root with the traditional cowrie shells that were used as currency in Yoruba lands before the introduction of coins.
- Because Yoruba is a tonal language, the way you pronounce lówó can change the meaning of the words entirely if the pitch is incorrect, potentially turning your request into something else.
- In Yoruba culture, directness can sometimes be perceived as rudeness. Even if you use the polite jọwọ, a more indirect approach or a subtle request might be preferred in formal social settings to avoid appearing greedy.
Examples in context
- Fún mi lówó kọ́kọ́.Give me money first.
- Jọ̀ọ́, fún mi lówó láti ra oúnjẹ.Please, give me money to buy food.
- Fún mi lówó tí mo ti béèrè.Give me the money that I asked for.
Example conversation
Tunde asks Folake for some cash at home.
- TundeFolake, fún mi lówó.Folake, give me money.
- FolakeṢé o ti lo gbogbo rẹ̀?Have you used all of it?
- TundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo fẹ́ rà nǹkan tuntun.Yes, I want to buy new things.
- FolakeÓ dára, èmi yóò fún ẹ ní díẹ̀.Okay, I will give you some.
