ọfọ

See also: ofo

Itsekiri

Etymology

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ fọ̀ (“to speak”). Cognates include Yoruba ọfọ̀, many Yoruba varieties, particularly in Southeast Yoruba, to which Itsekiri is closely related, use this word in the same way with the meaning of word. Whereas in Standard Yorùbá, a semantic shift has occurred where the word has the meaning of incantation, spell, curse.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̀.fɔ̀/

Noun

ọ̀fọ̀

1. word

Derived terms

• iwé ùmọ̀fọ̀ (“dictionary”)
• oríghọ̀fọ̀ (“topic, theme”)
• ọlọ́fọ̀ (“speaker”)
• ulíọ̀fọ̀ (“sentence”)

 

Yoruba

Etymology

From ọ- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ fọ̀ (“to speak”). Cognate with Itsekiri ọ̀fọ̀ (“word”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̄.fɔ̀/

Noun

ọfọ̀

1. incantation, spell, curse

   Synonyms: mádàáríkàn, ògèdè

2. (Ikalẹ, Ekiti, Ọwọ, Ào, Usẹn) word, statement
3. discourse

Derived terms

• ọfọ̀kọ́fọ̀
• fọfọ̀
• pọfọ̀
• gírámà ọfọ̀ (“discourse grammar”)