burẹwa
The Yoruba word for 'ugly' is burẹwa.
burẹwa is an adjective used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
Did you know?
- The word burẹwa is a linguistic paradox, constructed by combining the verb bu, meaning 'to be mouldy', with rẹ́wà, which means 'to be beautiful'.
- Because describing someone as burẹwa is very blunt, Yoruba speakers often use euphemisms or focus on specific features to avoid causing offense.
- The term burẹwa is rarely used to describe nature or landscapes, as Yoruba culture generally views the natural world as an expression of divine beauty.
Example conversation
Yejide and Babatunde are looking at a painting.
- YejideBabatunde, wo fọto yìí wo.Babatunde, look at this picture.
- BabatundeÓ burẹwa gan, Yejide.It is very ugly, Yejide.
- YejideṢé ó burẹwa tó bẹ́ẹ̀?Is it really that ugly?
- BabatundeBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mi ò fẹ́ rẹ̀.Yes, I don't like it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries burẹwa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
