karibi

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• kàíbi
• kàbí
• kàrí

Etymology

From kàrí (“where”) +‎ ibi (“place”), possibly from kí (“let”) +‎ à- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ rí (“to see”), literally “let us see; let us know”. Kàrí is an interrogative marker," see kàrìgbì (“when”) (literally from kàrí ìgbì, "what time?."). The specific form differs among the different subdialects of Ekiti, but are mutually intelligble. Those in the current Nigerian state of Ekiti may use kàbí or ubi sí, in addition to kàríbi. In the Akure subdialect of Ekiti, they mainly use kàríbi, in addition to kàíbi or kàbí. All these terms are synonymous and can generally used by any Ekiti speaker regardless of subdialect. The root kàrí and the use of sí likely represent different innovations, where one is likely a newer term that are existing together. Kàrí is also used in other CY dialects, such as Ijesha, with kàbí being used by dialects like Ife.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kà.ɾí.bī/

Adverb

kàríbi

1. (interrogative, Ekiti) where

   kàríbi kín-in à? ― Where are you?

Synonyms

• níbo
• kàrí (Ijesha, Ekiti)
• ibi sí (Ekiti)
• kíbi (Ondo)
• kẹ̀ẹ́ (Ọ̀wọ̀)
• kàbí (Ifẹ̀)
• ubo sí (Ijebu)

Derived terms

• kàrí bi kúọ ti a (“where are you from”)

Related terms

• kàrìgbì (“when”)