ẹja ẹlẹ́gùn
The English word "squid" is ẹja ẹlẹ́gùn in Yoruba.
This term is used to refer to a squid, categorized as a sea animal.
Meaning: sea animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ẹja, which means "fish" and ẹlẹ́gùn, meaning "one who has limbs or tentacles".
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a noun phrase where ẹja acts as the head noun.
Did you know?
- The word ẹja does not just mean 'fish' but serves as a general category for almost all aquatic creatures in Yoruba, including whales and dolphins.
- Because ẹja is related to the Igbo word azu, the term for 'fish' shares deep linguistic roots across the Niger-Congo language family.
- The structure of ẹja ẹlẹ́gùn follows a pattern where the specific characteristic 'one who has tentacles' modifies the general noun 'fish'.
Examples in context
- Mo fẹ́ ra ẹja ẹlẹ́gùn.I want to buy squid.
Example conversation
Babatunde and Morenike are shopping for seafood at a market.
- MorenikeKí ni o fẹ́ rà, Babatunde?What do you want to buy, Babatunde?
- BabatundeMo fẹ́ rà ẹja ẹlẹ́gùn.I want to buy squid.
- MorenikeṢé o fẹ́ kí n ràn ọ lọ́wọ́?Do you want me to help you?
- BabatundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, Morenike, jọ̀wọ́ ràn mí lọ́wọ́.Yes, Morenike, please help me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ẹja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
