dẹ

Yoruba

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /dɛ̀/

Verb

dẹ̀

to be soft or tender in texture
ọsàn yìí ti dẹ̀ ― This orange has become soft
(idiomatic, by extension) to be stupid or foolish; (literally) to have a soft head (indicating that one has no brain)
ọmọ́ dẹ́ ― The child is foolish
to become reduced or weakened in degree or intensity
ibà mi ti dẹ̀ ― My fever has reduced in intensity
to become comfortable or relaxed

Derived terms

dẹ̀dẹ̀mùdẹ̀mù
dẹlẹ̀fún
ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ (“pig”)
ìdẹ̀
ọ̀dẹ̀ (“fool”)
ọ̀dẹ̀ (“that which is soft in texture”)

Usage notes

dẹ when preceding a direct object

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /dɛ̀/

Conjunction

dẹ̀

(Lagos) then, thus
Synonym: sì

Usage notes

Used in the auxiliary position

Etymology 3

Proposed to have been derived from Proto-Yoruboid *dɛ. Cognate with Igala dẹ (“to hunt”)

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /dɛ̄/

Verb

dẹ

(transitive, intransitive) to hunt, to set a trap
(intransitive) to become a skillful hunter

Derived terms

dẹdòdẹdò (“fisherman”)
dẹdò (“to fish”)
dẹgbó (“to hunt in the forest”)
dọdẹ (“to hunt”)
ìdẹ (“the act of hunting”)
ọdẹ (“hunter”)
Ọdẹ (“personification of hunting as a deity”)
ṣọdẹ (“to hunt”)

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