ìwọ
informal
In Yoruba, the English phrase "you" is translated using ìwọ or ẹyin. Wiktionary also lists ệyin.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Ways to say it
| Yoruba | Note |
|---|---|
| ìwọ | informal |
| ệyin | formal |
These words serve as subject pronouns to address the person being spoken to.
Which one should you use?
Use ìwọ when addressing a single person of equal or lower status, such as a friend or a child. Use ẹyin when addressing more than one person, or when addressing a single person with respect, such as an elder or a stranger.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ìwọ is the informal form. ẹyin is the formal form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The formal form ẹyin is used as a singular pronoun to show respect, a concept known as honorifics.
Did you know?
- To show extreme respect, a speaker might avoid using ẹyin entirely and instead address the person by their title or relationship, such as màmá for mother.
- In many Yoruba social interactions, using the pronoun ìwọ for an elder can be seen as a serious insult or a sign of poor upbringing, even if the speaker is not intending to be rude.
- In some traditional contexts, the use of ìwọ is strictly reserved for those within the same age grade or those who have been explicitly granted permission to be addressed informally.
Examples in context
- Ṣé ìwọ ni?Is it you?
- Ìwọ ni ọmọ mi.You are my child.
- Ìwọ kò mọ̀.You do not know.
Example conversation
Tunde and Titi are talking about a book.
- TundeÌwọ ló ka ìwé yìí?Was it you who read this book?
- TitiBẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo ka á.Yes, I read it.
- TundeṢé ó wù ìwọ?Did you like it?
- TitiÓ wù mí gan.I liked it very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
