kò sí wàhálà
The Yoruba phrase for "no problem" is kò sí wàhálà.
kò sí wàhálà is used to reassure someone that their actions or mistakes have caused no difficulty or need for apology.
Meaning: no apology is necessary (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kò (no/not), sí (is/exists) and wàhálà (trouble/problem/stress).
Did you know?
- The word wàhálà has become so influential that it is used as a loanword in Nigerian Pidgin English to describe any kind of stress, drama or unnecessary complication.
- While kò sí wàhálà is a common response, a Yoruba speaker might accompany this phrase with a slight bow or a lowering of the gaze when speaking to an elder to signal humility.
- Because Yoruba is a tonal language, mispronouncing the tones in wàhálà could accidentally lead a listener to think you are saying a completely different word, potentially causing the very 'trouble' you are trying to dismiss.
Example conversation
Olumide apologizes to Titi for being late.
- OlumideTiti, jọ̀ọ́ má bínú pé mo pẹ́.Titi, please don't be angry that I am late.
- TitiKò sí wàhálà, Olumide.No problem, Olumide.
- OlumideO ṣeun pupọ.Thank you very much.
- TitiKò sí wàhálà.No problem.
