ubi si
Yoruba
Alternative forms
- ibi sí
Etymology
From ubi (“place”) + sí (“marker”). The use of "sí" can be seen in many interrogative forms in dialects such as Ekiti, see ọ̀kàn sí (“which”), òlú sí (“how much”), ùgbẹ̀ sí (“when”). The specific interrogative marker "where" form differs among the different subdialects of Ekiti, but are mutually intelligble. Those in the current Nigerian state of Ekiti may use kàbí, in addition to kàríbi and ubi sí. In the Akure subdialect of Ekiti, they mainly use kàríbi, in addition to kàí 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.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ū.bī sí/
Adverb
ubi sí
- (interrogative, Ekiti) where
- Synonym: níbo
- Synonym: kàrí (Ijesha, Ekiti)
- Synonym: ibi sí (Ifẹ̀)
- ubi sí ín à? (Èkìtì) ― Where are you?
Related terms
- òlú sí (“how much”)
- ùgbẹ̀ sí (“when”)
- ọ̀kàn sí (“which”)
- ì sí (“who”)