Bawo ni, bawo ni o se wa?
The English phrase "hello how are you" is translated into Yoruba as Bawo ni, bawo ni o se wa?
This phrase is a common greeting used to start a conversation and ask about someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The shorter part of the phrase, Bawo ni, literally translates to "How is it?" or "How is it going?" in English.
When do people say it?
When someone asks how you are, a common response is Alááfíà ni, which literally means "It is peace/health" and indicates that you are in peace or healthy.
Did you know?
- Depending on the age and status of the person you are greeting, Bawo ni is often accompanied by a physical gesture of respect, such as a slight bow or kneeling.
- The word bawo is a combination of two parts: bá, meaning to happen or perform an action, and èwo, meaning 'which'.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bawo, o, se, wa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
