ọkunrin
Yoruba
Alternative forms
- okùnrin (Èkìtì)
- ọkọ̀nrẹn (Ọ̀wọ̀, Ìlàjẹ)
- ọkùnẹn (Oǹdó)
- ọkùnrẹn (Ìkálẹ̀, Rẹ́mọ)
Etymology
Unknown, several etymologic hypotheses exist. It is proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-kʊ̃rɪ̃, this form remains the same in Central Yoruba dialects. Cognate with Arigidi ọkọ́ọrẹ. Other hypothesis:
- Said to have evolved from the word okó (“penis”), ultimately from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kò (“to meet”), literally “That which meets”, compare with akọ (“male”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɔ̄.kũ̀.ɾĩ̄/
Noun
ọkùnrin
- man, male
- Synonym: akọ
- Iná niyì ọdẹ, ẹ̀jẹ̀ niyì oògùn; ká rógun má mà sa, òun niyì ọkùnrin ― Just as fire power is the mark of a hunter, so, blood is the mark of a true medicine; and to see a war, and not run away, is the mark of a man (an incantation to invoke bravery)
- 'Mo mọ̀ ọ́ tán', ni Orò ó fi ń gbé ọkùnrin ― The conviction that one knows everything is what causes Òrìṣà Orò to carry away a man (proverb against taking danger for granted)
- manliness, bravery
- Synonym: ọkàn ọkùnrin
- a gbọ́dọ̀ ṣe bí ọkùnrin lójú ogun ― We must be brave in the battlefield
Coordinate terms
- obìnrin
Derived terms
- ìfẹ́-ọkùnrin-sọ́kùnrin (“homosexuality”)
- ọ̀dọ́mọkùnrin (“young man, adolescent boy”)
- ọ̀gá-ilé-ìwé lọ́kùnrin (“headmaster”)
- ọkàn ọkùnrin (“bravery”)
- ọmọkùnrin (“boy”)
References
- Adebayo, Taofeeq SOME DIACHRONIC CHANGES IN YORUBA GRAMMAR , 2020