kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀
The English phrase "what is happening" is translated into Yoruba as kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀.
Kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀ is a question used to inquire about a specific unfolding event or a sudden commotion in the immediate environment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kí (what), ló (it is/is it), ń (continuous aspect marker) and ṣẹlẹ̀ (to happen), which literally means "what is it that is happening".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ń is essential to indicate that the action is currently in progress (the continuous aspect).
Did you know?
- The word ṣẹlẹ̀ is derived from ṣe (to do) and lẹ̀ (to land or settle), suggesting that an event is something that has 'landed' in a location.
- Asking kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀ to an elder without first offering a respectful greeting like ẹ n lẹ can be seen as rude.
- A Yoruba speaker can change the tone of kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀ to turn a request for information into a rhetorical challenge to someone acting suspiciously.
Examples in context
- Kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀ níbí?What is happening here?
- Kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀ nínú ọkọ̀?What is happening inside the car?
- Ṣé o mọ kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀?Do you know what is happening?
Example conversation
Tunde walks into a room and sees a commotion.
- TundeMorenike, kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀?Morenike, what is happening?
- MorenikeÀwọn ọmọ tí ń sọ̀rọ̀ púpọ̀.The children are talking too much.
- TundeṢé wọn ń jà?Are they fighting?
- MorenikeRárá, wọn kàn ń sàré ni.No, they are just running.
