obinrin

Yoruba

Etymology

Etymology is uncertain, several linguistic hypotheses exist. It is proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-bɪ̃̀rɪ̃, this form still exists in Central Yoruba dialects. Akinkugbe suggests it may be equivalent to abo (“female”) +‎ ẹni (“person”). The consonant /b/ exists in several basic female words, including òbò (“vagina”), abo (“female”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ō.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄/

Noun

obìnrin

  1. woman, female
    Synonym: abo
    bí ọkùnrín bá rí ejò, tí obìnrín sì pa á, kò burú; kí ejò ṣáà má ti lọ
    If a man sees a snake, and a woman kills it, that is not bad; the important thing is for the snake not to escape
  2. wife
    Synonyms: aya, ìyàwó
    èyí t'ó wù ẹ́ kò wù mí ni kò jẹ́ k'á pawó pọ̀ láti fẹ́ obìnrin
    What appeals to you may not appeal to me, this is why we cannot pool our financial resources together to marry one wife
    (proverb on personal preference)

Synonyms
Yoruba varieties (woman, female)
Language Family Variety Group Variety Words
Proto-Itsekiri-SEY Southeast Yoruba Ìjẹ̀bú obìrẹn, obìnrẹn
Ìkálẹ̀ obìnrẹn
Ìlàjẹ obìrẹn
Oǹdó obìẹn
Ọ̀wọ̀ obìnrẹn
Usẹn -
Proto-Yoruba Central Yoruba Èkìtì ọbị̀nrịn, ọbụ̀rịn
Ifẹ̀ -
Ìgbómìnà -
Ìjẹ̀ṣà -
Western Àkókó -
Northwest Yoruba Àwórì obìnrin
Ẹ̀gbá -
Ìbàdàn obìnrin
Òǹkò obìnrin
Ọ̀yọ́ obìnrin
Standard Yorùbá obìnrin
Northeast Yoruba/Okun Ìbùnú -
Ìjùmú -
Ìyàgbà -
Owé óbùnrin
Ọ̀wọ̀rọ̀ -

Coordinate terms

Derived terms
  • ẹrúbìnrin (“female slave”)
  • ẹ̀kọ́ àìsàn-obìnrin (“gynecology”)
  • ọbabìnrin (“queen”)
  • ọmọbìnrin (“girl”)
  • ọmọdébìnrin (“adolescent girl”)
  • ọ̀gá-ilé-ìwé lóbìnrin (“headmistress”)
  • ìmọ̀ ìtọ́jú ẹ̀yà-ara-obìnrin (“gynecology”)
  • ìránṣẹ́bìnrin (“maid”)

References
  • Adebayo, Taofeeq SOME DIACHRONIC CHANGES IN YORUBA GRAMMAR , 2020
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