wèrè
The English word 'mad' is translated into Yoruba as wèrè.
The term wèrè is used as an adjective to describe someone who is angry.
Meaning: angry (adj)
Did you know?
- The concept of being 'mad' in Yoruba is often culturally linked to 'heat' or 'fire' in the head, a metaphor that is much more visceral than the English term.
- The word wèrè is deeply tied to the concept of orí, which translates to 'head' but refers to a person's spiritual destiny and mental state in Yoruba culture.
- If you call someone wèrè in a heated argument, you are not just calling them angry, you are effectively calling them a lunatic. This can escalate a minor disagreement into a serious insult.
Example conversation
Titi and Babatunde are arguing about a broken vase.
- TitiBabatunde, kí ló dé tí o fi fọ ibé?Babatunde, why did you break that?
- BabatundeÌyànà ni, mi ò ṣe èyí lọ́nà kankan.It's a tragedy, I didn't do it at all.
- TitiṢé o wèrè ni? Mo rí ẹ níbẹ̀!Are you mad? I saw you there!
- BabatundeJọ̀wó, má ṣe bínú sí mi.Please, don't be angry with me.
