gbọ́
The Yoruba verb for "listen" is gbọ́.
The verb gbọ́ is used both for the physical act of hearing a sound and the cognitive act of listening to or understanding something.
Meaning: to pay attention to a sound (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, gbọ́ means "to hear".
When do people say it?
Using the verb alone as an imperative, Gbọ́!, is a common way to command someone to pay attention or listen to what is being said.
Did you know?
- Yoruba is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say gbọ́ changes the meaning entirely. A shift in tone can turn 'listen' into words meaning 'to pick' or 'to gather'.
- The verb gbọ́ is also used when talking about 'hearing' a language. Rather than saying you 'speak' a language, a Yoruba speaker might say they gbọ́ it, implying they can perceive and understand it.
- Using the imperative Gbọ́! can sound quite blunt or authoritative, as it is often used by elders or superiors to demand immediate attention.
Examples in context
- Ṣé o gbọ́ ohun tí mo sọ?Did you hear what I said?
Example conversation
Morenike and Babatunde are in a quiet room.
- MorenikeBabatunde, jọ̀wọ́ gbọ́ sí mi.Babatunde, please listen to me.
- BabatundeMo n gbọ́, Morenike.I am listening, Morenike.
- MorenikeṢe o le gbọ́ ohùn yẹn?Can you listen to that sound?
- BabatundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo gbọ́ rẹ̀.Yes, I hear it.
