ẹ ǹlẹ́
ẹ ǹlẹ́ is the Yoruba way to say greetings.
The phrase ẹ ǹlẹ́ is used as a formal way to say hello. You might also use E káàbò to formally say welcome when meeting someone or entering their home or Kilonshele to informally ask someone how they are doing.
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the respectful pronoun ẹ (you plural/polite) and a verbal root related to greeting or being well.
Did you know?
- Failing to use a formal greeting like ẹ ǹlẹ́ when meeting an older person can be viewed as a serious sign of bad character or ìwà burú.
- The concept of greeting in Yoruba culture is often tied to acknowledging the presence of 'ancestors' or 'elders' even if they are not physically in the room. A greeting is not just a hello, but a recognition of the person's standing in the community.
- In many Yoruba-speaking regions, a greeting is considered incomplete if it is not accompanied by a slight bow or a respectful nod of the head. The spoken word and the physical gesture are seen as a single unit of politeness.
Examples in context
- Ẹ ǹlẹ́, ṣé ẹ kú àlááfíà?Greetings, are you doing well?
- Ẹ ǹlẹ́ gbogbo yín.Greetings to you all.
- Ẹ ǹlẹ́, baba mi.Greetings, my father.
Example conversation
Tunde meets Yejide on the street.
- TundeẸ ǹlẹ́, Yejide.Greetings, Yejide.
- YejideẸ ǹlẹ́, Tunde.Greetings, Tunde.
- TundeBáwo ni ara rẹ?How are you?
- YejideAra mi dáadáa.I am doing well.
