ṣuga
The English word sugar is ṣuga in Yoruba.
ṣuga refers to the sucrose obtained from sugar cane or sugar beet used to sweeten food and drinks.
Meaning: sucrose from sugar cane or sugar beet used to sweeten food and drink (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ṣuga is a loanword from the English word sugar, which has been adapted to fit Yoruba phonology.
Did you know?
- While ṣuga refers to processed sucrose, Yoruba uses the word òyìnbó to describe the light color of refined sugar, which is also the word for a white person.
- While English speakers use 'sugar' as a term of endearment, calling someone ṣuga in Yoruba would not carry that same romantic or affectionate connotation.
- Because it is a loanword, ṣuga is considered a 'new' word in the context of the ancient Yoruba lexicon, which has its own indigenous terms for sweetness.
Examples in context
- Ṣé o ti rà ṣuga?Have you bought sugar?
- Ṣuga yìí kò tó.This sugar is not enough.
Example conversation
Folake and Olumide are preparing coffee in the kitchen.
- FolakeOlumide, ńtì ṣuga sínú kọfí yìí?Olumide, are you putting sugar in this coffee?
- OlumideBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo fẹ́ kí ó dùn.Yes, I want it to be sweet.
- FolakeṢugá kárí bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ́rí tábìlì.The sugar is right there on the table.
- OlumideO ṣeun, Folake.Thank you, Folake.
