Mi yiɗi ma
The phrase 'I love you' in Fulani is Mi yiɗi ma.
This phrase is used as an affirmation of romantic feeling.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of Mi (I), yiɗi (want/love) and ma (you).
Which one should you use?
You can use Mi yiɗi maa to add emphasis to the object 'you' by doubling the final vowel.
How does it change in a sentence?
Doubling the final vowel in ma to create maa can be used to add emphasis to the object 'you'.
Did you know?
- Because the language is spoken from Senegal to Sudan, a speaker of Pulaar and a speaker of Fulfulde might both say Mi yiɗi ma but barely understand each other's surrounding conversation.
- In certain Fulani-speaking regions, expressing intense romantic love through direct speech is traditionally considered quite bold or even impolite.
- In Fulani, there is no linguistic distinction between 'to love' and 'to want'. The single verb yiɗi covers both the deep emotion of love and the simple desire for an object.
Examples in context
- Mi yiɗi ma.I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye before work.
- AbdoulayeMi yiɗi ma, Hawa.I love you, Hawa.
- HawaMi yiɗi ma kadi, Abdoulaye.I love you too, Abdoulaye.
- AbdoulayeYaa mbeelu anndu.Have a nice day.
- HawaA doon kadi.You too.
