B2

Ideophones and Sound Symbolism

Àwọn Ọ̀rọ̀ Àfàrà-ohùn

About this concept

Ideophones are expressive words evoking sensory experiences: gbígbóná rírí (very hot), yẹ́pẹ̀rẹ̀ (flimsy/light), fírí (quickly/suddenly). They add vividness to speech and follow the verb they modify.

In Settemila Lingue, this concept generates a practice deck of ~30 cards at level B2.

Examples

Ó dúdú bí ikú.It is pitch black. (black as death)
Ó gbóná rírí.It is very hot. (intensified)
Ó ṣubú gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ́.He/She fell flat. (ideophone for falling flat)
Ó pọ̀ rọbọtọ.It is extremely plenty. (ideophone for abundance)

Prerequisite

Basic Adjectives and ModifiersA1

More B2 concepts

Focus and Cleft ConstructionsÌtẹnumọ́ àti Gbólóhùn ÌpínComplex Aspect CombinationsÀpapọ̀ Ìrísí Ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀Reported/Indirect SpeechỌ̀rọ̀ ÀròyéPassive-like ConstructionsÌṣe AláìṣeBecoming and Change of State (Di)Ìyípadà Ipò (Di)

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