Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions

Àwọn Òwe àti Ọ̀rọ̀ Àpèẹrẹ

About this concept

Yoruba proverbs (òwe) are central to communication and mark eloquence. They use metaphor, tonal wordplay, and cultural references. Understanding proverbs is essential for advanced proficiency.

In Settemila Lingue, this concept generates a practice deck of ~40 cards at level C1.

Examples

Bí a bá ń jẹ àjẹ́, a sá máa jẹ tí ó le gẹ́.If we must be wicked, let us be thoroughly wicked. (Do things properly.)

Àgbà tí ó fi ojú ẹ̀hìn wòran, ojú iwájú ni ó fi sọkún.The elder who looks back to see, will weep with forward-facing eyes. (Regret for the past.)

Ọmọdé tó bá mọ̀wọ́ wẹ̀, á bá àgbà jẹun.A child who knows how to wash hands will eat with elders. (Respect earns respect.)

Igbá ọlá kì í tán nínú.The calabash of honor never runs dry. (Generosity begets more.)

Prerequisite

Relative Clauses (Tí)B1

Concepts that build on this

Narrative and Storytelling StyleC1 Literary and Poetic YorubaC2 Dialectal VariationC2 Ifá Verses and Divinatory LanguageC2

More C1 concepts

Complex Clause StructuresÌṣọ̀kan Gbólóhùn Ìjìnlẹ̀Formal and Oratorical RegisterÌrísí Ọ̀rọ̀ Àgbà àti Àṣà Grammatical Tone AlternationÌyípadà Ohùn Gírámà Praise Poetry (Oríkì)Oríkì Cultural Vocabulary (Àṣà)Àṣà Èdè

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