Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?
In Yoruba, "what is your name?" is expressed as Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?
The phrase is used to ask someone for their name. The word Kini means "what" in Yoruba.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Kí (what), ni (is), orúkọ (name) and rẹ (your).
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the phrase "your name", the possessive pronoun rẹ (your) follows the noun orúkọ (name).
When do people say it?
A standard way to respond to this question is to say Orúkọ mi ni [Name]. (My name is [Name].).
Did you know?
- While orúkọ means 'name', Yoruba also distinguishes between an orúkọ àmúyẹ, which is a formal or praised name, and a birth name. In certain social contexts, calling someone by their birth name instead of their praised name can be seen as a lack of respect.
- The word orúkọ is part of a tonal language where the pitch of the vowel changes the meaning. If you change the tone of the words in Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?, you might accidentally say something entirely different or be misunderstood by a native speaker.
- In Yoruba culture, a person's name often carries a profound meaning or a story about their birth, so when you ask Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?, you are sometimes inviting them to share a piece of their family history.
Examples in context
- Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?What is your name?
- Mo fẹ́ mọ, kí ni orúkọ rẹ?I want to know, what is your name?
Example conversation
Two students meeting for the first time at school.
- TundeBàáwo, kí ni orúkọ rẹ?Hello, what is your name?
- TitiOrúkọ mi ni Titi.My name is Titi.
- TundeOrúkọ mi ni Tunde.My name is Tunde.
- TitiInú mi dùn láti mọ̀ ẹ́, Tunde.I am glad to know you, Tunde.
