fi mí sílẹ̀
The Yoruba phrase for 'leave me alone' is fi mí sílẹ̀.
This phrase is used when someone wants to end an interaction or wants someone to stop bothering them.
Meaning: stop talking to me (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'set/place me aside', where mí is the first-person singular object pronoun meaning 'me'.
Did you know?
- If you say fi mí sílẹ̀ with a very high pitch or a sharp tone, it can sound less like a request for privacy and more like a direct, aggressive command. The emotional weight in Yoruba is often carried by the tonal shifts of the words.
- In Yoruba culture, directness can sometimes be seen as blunt or disrespectful. To be more polite while asking for space, one might add honorifics or soften the command to avoid sounding like they are 'discarding' the other person.
- The phrase can be used figuratively in Yoruba to mean 'ignore me' or 'don't mind me' when someone is making a mistake or being silly.
Examples in context
- Jọ̀ọ́, fi mí sílẹ̀.Please, leave me alone.
- Fi mí sílẹ̀, mo ti sọ ohun tí mo fẹ́.Leave me alone, I have said what I want.
Example conversation
Babatunde is bothering Yejide while she is reading.
- BabatundeKí lo ń kà, Yejide?What are you reading, Yejide?
- YejideMo ń kà ìwé, fi mí sílẹ̀.I am reading a book, leave me alone.
- BabatundeṢùgbọn mo ní ìbéèrè kan.But I have one question.
- YejideJọ̀wọ́, fi mí sílẹ̀.Please, leave me alone.
