afopina

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Yoruba

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àfòpiná

Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From à- (nominalizing prefix) +‎ (to fly) +‎ pa (kill, turn off) +‎ iná (light, fire), literally one who flies and kills (turns off) the light.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /à.fò.k͡pī.nã́/

Noun

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àfòpiná

  1. moth
    Synonym: òólá
    • 2010 July 13, Villepastour, Amanda and Ayandokun, Rabiu, Ancient Text Messages of the Yoruba Bata Drum[1], Oxford: Taylor & Francis, →ISBN:
      Àfòpiná, tó lóun ó pa fìtílà. Ara ẹ̀ ni yóò pa.
      The moth that attempts to extinguish an oil lamp flame. It is destined to fail.
    • 2005 July 1, Oyekan Owomoyela, Yoruba Proverbs[2], University of Nebraska Press, →ISBN:
      Àfòpiná tó fẹ́ paná súyà; ẹran pọ̀ sí i
      The moth that wants to put out the suya fire; the meat becomes more.

Usage notes

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  • àfòpiná can be used metaphorically for one who is undertaking a suicide mission; comparing suicide with the way a moth is attracted to an oil lamp that will inevitably kill it.