obìnrin
The Yoruba word for "woman" is obìnrin.
obìnrin is the standard noun used to refer to an adult female person.
Meaning: adult female person (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word Iyá is a respectful and formal way to refer to a woman.
Did you know?
- In Yoruba, the word obìnrin is not used to differentiate gender in grammar because most nouns and pronouns are gender-neutral.
- The word ìyá can function as a semi-sacred title to describe a woman with immense spiritual authority, moving beyond its meaning as 'mother'.
- Yoruba culture uses kinship terms as honorifics, meaning a stranger may be called ìyá (mother) to show respect regardless of biological relation.
Examples in context
- Obìnrin kan wà ní ilé.There is a woman at the house.
- Obìnrin yẹn jẹ́ ẹgbẹ́ mi.That woman is my colleague.
- Mo rí obìnrin kan lọ́jà.I saw a woman at the market.
Example conversation
Morenike and Olumide are talking about a new neighbor.
- MorenikeṢé o ti rí obìnrin tuntun náà?Have you seen the new woman?
- OlumideRárá, èmi kò tíì rí i.No, I haven't seen her yet.
- MorenikeObìnrin náà jẹ́ ènìyàn rere.The woman is a good person.
- OlumideÌyẹn jẹ́ nǹkan rere.That is a good thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “woman” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
