olè
The Yoruba word for thief is olè.
olè is a noun used to describe a person who carries out theft.
Meaning: one who carries out theft (noun)
Did you know?
- In some Yoruba dialects, the term for thief is expanded into colorful idioms that describe a thief as someone who 'eats' the property of others.
- When expressing that someone is a 'thief of my heart' in a romantic sense, Yoruba speakers would use different, much more poetic language rather than the word olè.
- Depending on the tone used, the word olè can be distinguished from other words that look identical in writing but have entirely different meanings.
Examples in context
- Olè ni ọkùnrin náà.That man is a thief.
Example conversation
Femi and Yejide are discussing a news report about a local robbery.
- FemiṢé o gbọ́ nípa olè tí ó kọ́ ẹrù?Did you hear about the thief who stole the goods?
- YejideBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo rí i nínú ìròyìn.Yes, I saw it in the news.
- FemiOlè náà jẹ́ ẹni tí ó léwu gan-an.The thief is a very dangerous person.
- YejideÓ dára pé wọ́n mú un.It is good that they caught him.
