Ọlọ́run bù kún mi
The English phrase "God bless me" is translated into Yoruba as Ọlọ́run bù kún mi.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Ọlọ́run (God), bù kún (to add fullness or to bless) and mi (me).
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun mi (me) is an object pronoun placed at the end of the sentence to identify the recipient of the blessing.
Did you know?
- While Ọlọ́run refers to God, the word is composed of Ọlọ (owner) and Orun (heaven), meaning the 'Owner of the Heavens'.
- The Yoruba word for blessing bù kún literally translates to 'pour into' or 'add to'. It treats a blessing as a physical substance that fills a container until it overflows.
- Because Yoruba is a tonal language, changing the pitch of the word mi can completely change its meaning from 'me' to something else.
Example conversation
Olumide and Titi are praying together before a meal.
- OlumideMo bẹ Ọlọ́run bù kún mi àti ẹbí mi.I ask that God bless me and my family.
- TitiÀmín, Olumide, Ọlọ́run yóò gbọ́ àdúrà rẹ.Amen, Olumide, God will hear your prayer.
- OlumideKí Ọlọ́run bù kún wa gbogbo wa.May God bless all of us.
- TitiÀmín, Titi nìyẹn.Amen, that is Titi.
