kúrò níbí
The phrase kúrò níbí is the Yoruba way to say 'go away'.
kúrò níbí is used to instruct someone to depart or leave a specific place. Depending on the tone of voice used by the speaker, it can function as a neutral instruction to depart or as a blunt command to 'get lost'.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kúrò, which means 'to leave' or 'to depart' and níbí, which means 'here'. Literally, it translates to 'leave from here'.
Did you know?
- In many Yoruba social contexts, telling someone to kúrò can be seen as a serious breach of etiquette if said to an elder.
- The word níbí comes from the root bí, which relates to 'how' or 'manner' in other contexts, showing how Yoruba builds location words from basic concepts.
- Yoruba is a tonal language where the meaning of kúrò changes entirely if the pitch of the vowels is shifted.
Examples in context
- Jọ̀ọ́, kúrò níbí.Please, go away from here.
- O yẹ kí o kúrò níbí.You should leave this place.
Example conversation
Folake wants Tunde to leave the room so she can study.
- FolakeTunde, jọ̀wọ́ kúrò níbí.Tunde, please go away from here.
- TundeKí nìdí? Mo kàn ń sọ̀rọ̀ ni.Why? I am just talking.
- FolakeMo fẹ́ kẹ́kọ̀ọ́, mo ní kí o kúrò níbí.I want to study, I said you should leave this place.
- TundeÓ dáyìí, màá lọ.Alright, I will go.
