ẹ ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi
The English phrase "thank you, my love" is translated into Yoruba as ẹ ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi.
This phrase is an expression of gratitude used when speaking to a romantic partner or a person one loves.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ẹ ṣe (you do/thank you), olólùfẹ́ (lover/beloved) and mi (my).
Which one should you use?
The form ẹ ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi is the polite or plural version, whereas o ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi uses the singular pronoun.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a romantic partner in an informal or intimate setting, you can replace the polite ẹ with the singular o to say o ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi.
Did you know?
- Yoruba is a tonal language, meaning that if the pitch of the words in ẹ ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi is changed, the meaning of the phrase can shift entirely to something unrelated.
- In Yoruba, the word olólùfẹ́ can be broken down into 'owner' (oló) and 'love' (ìfẹ́), literally meaning 'the owner of love'.
- The phrase ẹ ṣe literally means 'you did' or 'you have done', framing gratitude as an acknowledgment of a completed action rather than just a feeling.
Example conversation
Tunde gives Morenike a thoughtful gift.
- MorenikeTunde, kí ni èyí?Tunde, what is this?
- TundeẸ̀rè díẹ̀ fún rẹ, Morenike.A little gift for you, Morenike.
- MorenikeÓ dára gan! Ẹ ṣe, olólùfẹ́ mi.It is very beautiful! Thank you, my love.
- TundeKò tì í ṣe nǹkan, olólùfẹ́ mi.It is nothing, my love.
