obinrin

Yoruba

Alternative forms
  • obìẹn (Oǹdó)
  • obìnrẹn (Ọ̀wọ̀, Ìkálẹ̀, Rẹ́mọ)
  • obìrẹn (Ìlàjẹ, Ìjẹ̀bú)
  • ọbị̀nrịn (Èkìtì)

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)

Coordinate terms

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

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