jọ̀wọ́
The Yoruba word for "please" is jọ̀wọ́.
jọ̀wọ́ is an interjection used to make a polite request. To soften the tone of your request, you can typically place jọ̀wọ́ at either the beginning or the end of the sentence.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to increase the level of politeness when speaking to an individual, you can add the honorific pronoun ẹ before jọ̀wọ́ to form ẹ jọ̀wọ́.
Did you know?
- The word jọ̀wọ́ literally translates to 'join hands' or 'hold hands'. It evokes the image of someone pleading or appealing to another person's kindness through a physical gesture of connection.
- Using jọ̀wọ́ can sometimes feel slightly Westernized or modern in certain deep traditional settings, where prostration or specific respectful titles are preferred to show true deference.
- In Yoruba culture, politeness is not just about words like jọ̀wọ́ but also physical posture. A younger person may slightly bow or crouch when making a request to show respect to an elder.
Examples in context
- Jọ̀wọ́, fún mi ní omi.Please, give me some water.
- Ṣé o lè ṣí ilẹ̀kùn yìí, jọ̀wọ́?Can you open this door, please?
- Jọ̀wọ́, dákẹ́ jẹ́ẹ́.Please, be quiet.
Example conversation
Tunde is helping Titi carry some heavy bags into the house.
- TitiTunde, jọ̀wọ́, gbé àpótí yìí.Tunde, please, carry this box.
- TundeO dára, Titi. Mo máa gbé e.Alright, Titi. I will carry it.
- TitiẸ̀ṣé gan-an, ọ̀rẹ́ mi.Thank you very much, my friend.
- TundeKò sí ìṣòro.No problem.
