kí lòn ṣe?
In Yoruba, "what are you doing?" is said as kí lòn ṣe?
This phrase is used to ask someone what they are currently doing or what is happening.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase kí lòn ṣe? is a contracted form of kí ni o ń ṣe?, which literally means "what is it that you are doing?"
Which one should you use?
To address more than one person or to show respect to a single person, change the pronoun 'on' (you) to 'ẹ' (you plural/polite) to get kí lẹ ń ṣe?
Did you know?
- While English speakers often ask 'what are you doing?' to be nosy, asking kí lòn ṣe? in a Yoruba social context can function as a generic, friendly greeting similar to 'what's up?'
- Yoruba is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say kí lòn ṣe? can change the meaning of the individual words entirely if not pronounced correctly.
- If you use the singular on with a person of higher status, it can be perceived as an intentional insult or a sign of extreme rudeness.
Examples in context
- Kí lòn ṣe?What are you doing?
Example conversation
Morenike sees Olumide working on a laptop in a cafe.
- MorenikeOlumide, kí lòn ṣe?Olumide, what are you doing?
- OlumideMo ń kọ lẹ́tà kan.I am writing a letter.
- MorenikeṢé o ti tán?Are you finished?
- OlumideBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo ti tán.Yes, I am finished.
