ọkọ mi
/ɔ̄.kɔ́ mĩ́/word by word
The English phrase "my husband" is translated into Yoruba as ọkọ mi.
ọkọ mi is used to refer to the man to whom a woman is married. While the word ọkọ can also mean "vehicle" or "driver" depending on the context, in the context of marriage, it specifically means "husband".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ọkọ, meaning "husband" and mi, meaning "my".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Yoruba syntax, the possessive pronoun mi (my) follows the noun ọkọ (husband).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɔ̄.kɔ́ mĩ́/.
Did you know?
- The term ọkọ is a cognate with words for 'canoe' or 'boat' in the Edo, Isoko and Urhobo languages.
- In a social setting, calling your husband ọkọ mi might actually be seen as disrespectful. To show proper honor and social standing, a woman will often use more formal titles or respectful descriptors rather than the literal 'my husband'.
- In Yoruba, the word ọkọ can mean 'husband', 'vehicle' or 'boat' depending on the tone used. Because Yoruba is a tonal language, a slight change in pitch completely changes the object being discussed.
Examples in context
- Ọkọ mi ni ẹni tí mo fẹ́.My husband is the one I love.
- Níbo ni ọkọ mi wà?Where is my husband?
Example conversation
Tunde and Yejide are talking about family at a social gathering.
- TundeṢé ọkọ rẹ wà níbí?Is your husband here?
- YejideRárá, ọkọ mi lọ sí ibi iṣẹ́.No, my husband went to work.
- TundeÓ yẹ kí ó wá yìí.He should be coming soon.
- YejideBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ó máa dé láìpẹ́.Yes, he will arrive shortly.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ọkọ, mi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, ọkọ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
