Causative Constructions (Mú/Jẹ́...kí) in Yoruba

Overview

Causative constructions express cause-and-effect relationships: someone or something makes, causes, or allows something to happen. At the B1 level, mastering causatives with "mú" (cause/make) and "jẹ́...kí" (let/allow) is important for discussing influence, emotions, permissions, and consequences.

The verb "mú" (literally "take/cause") is used for direct causation: "Ó mú mi bínú" (It made me angry). The construction "jẹ́ kí" (let/allow that) expresses permission or indirect causation: "Jẹ́ kí ó lọ" (Let him/her go). These two patterns cover most causative meanings in Yoruba.

Causatives are essential for expressing emotions (something made me happy/sad), describing external forces (the rain made us stay), giving permissions, and narrating cause-effect sequences in stories.

How It Works

Construction	Meaning	Pattern
mú + person + state/action	cause/make	Ó mú mi bínú. (Made me angry.)
jẹ́ kí + S + V	let/allow	Jẹ́ kí ó lọ. (Let him go.)

Mú as causative:

• Ó mú mi dùn. (It made me happy.)
• Ó mú wa ṣiṣẹ́. (It made us work.)
• Kí ni ó mú ẹ bínú? (What made you angry?)

Jẹ́ kí as permissive:

• Jẹ́ kí wọ́n wọlé. (Let them come in.)
• Jẹ́ kí a ṣe é papọ̀. (Let us do it together.)

Examples in Context

Yoruba	English	Note
Ó mú mi bínú.	It made me angry.	Emotional causation
Jẹ́ kí ó lọ.	Let him/her go.	Permission
Oúnjẹ náà mú mi dùn.	The food made me happy.	Positive causation
Wọ́n mú wa ṣiṣẹ́ lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀.	They made us work a lot.	Forced action
Jẹ́ kí a ṣe é.	Let us do it.	Exhortation
Kí ni ó mú ẹ lọ?	What made you go?	Cause question
Òjò mú mi dúró.	The rain made me stop.	Natural force
Jẹ́ kí mo rí i.	Let me see it.	Request
Ọ̀rọ̀ náà mú wọn rẹ̀wẹ̀sì.	The matter made them worried.	Abstract cause
Má jẹ́ kí ó lọ!	Don't let him/her go!	Negative permissive

Common Mistakes

Confusing mú (causative) with mú (take/hold)

• Wrong: Interpreting "Ó mú mi bínú" as "He took me angrily."
• Right: "Ó mú mi bínú" = It caused me to be angry.
• Why: Mú has multiple meanings. In the causative construction, it means "cause/make," not "take/hold."

Using jẹ́ kí Without the Conjunction kí

• Wrong: Jẹ́ ó lọ. (Let he go -- missing kí)
• Right: Jẹ́ kí ó lọ. (Let him go.)
• Why: The permissive construction requires both jẹ́ and kí. The kí introduces the subordinate clause.

Not Recognizing Indirect Causation

• Wrong: Using mú for all causation, including permission.
• Right: Use mú for direct causation (making), jẹ́ kí for permission/allowing.
• Why: Mú implies direct causation; jẹ́ kí implies allowing or granting permission.

Practice Tips

1. Describe what affects your emotions: "Orin mú mi dùn" (Music makes me happy), "Ìṣòro mú mi bínú" (Problems make me angry).
2. Practice permissions: Use jẹ́ kí for letting: "Jẹ́ kí mo lọ" (Let me go), "Jẹ́ kí wọ́n sọ̀rọ̀" (Let them speak).
3. Ask cause questions: "Kí ni ó mú ẹ bínú?" (What made you angry?) -- practice asking and answering.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Common Basic Verbs -- mú is a basic verb with extended causative use