kò sí nǹkan kan
The English word 'nothing' is expressed in Yoruba as kò sí nǹkan kan.
kò sí nǹkan kan is used to express the total absence of anything, similar to the English phrase 'there is nothing'.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase kò sí nǹkan kan literally translates to 'there is not any thing'.
Did you know?
- In Yoruba culture, saying kò sí nǹkan kan can be a polite way to deflect praise, acting similarly to the English phrase 'it is nothing'.
- The word nǹkan refers to any object or thing, but in spiritual contexts, it can be used to describe a supernatural entity or a mystical thing.
- The word kan in the phrase kò sí nǹkan kan functions as a numerical 'one', making the phrase literally 'there is not one thing'.
Examples in context
- Kò sí nǹkan kan tó ṣẹlẹ̀.Nothing happened.
- Kò sí nǹkan kan nínú àpò rẹ̀.There is nothing in his bag.
- Kò sí nǹkan kan tí mo rí.I saw nothing.
Example conversation
Babatunde and Folake are talking about what to eat for dinner.
- FolakeKí ni ó wà nínú firíjì?What is in the fridge?
- BabatundeKò sí nǹkan kan nínú rẹ̀.There is nothing in it.
- FolakeṢé a ní iṣẹ́ láti ṣe?Do we have work to do?
- BabatundeKò sí nǹkan kan tí a gbọ́.There is nothing we have heard.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
