ọni

See also: Appendix:Variations of "oni"

Yoruba

Ọ̀nì

Alternative forms

• ọ̀nẹ̀ (Ondo)
• ọ̀nị̀

Etymology 1

Cognate with Igala ọ̀nyẹ̀, Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-nɪ̃̀

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̀.nĩ̀/, /ɔ̀.nĩ̄/

Noun

ọ̀nì or ọ̀ni

1. crocodile, specifically the Nile crocodile.

   Synonym: ẹlẹ́gungùn

Etymology 2

Proposed to have derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ-nɪ̃

Alternative forms

• ẹni (SY)
• ọnẹ (Ikalẹ, Ondo, Ọwọ)
• ọnị (Ekiti)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̄.nĩ̄/

Noun

ọni

1. (Ijebu, Ào, Owe) person, human being, one

   Synonyms: (Ìjẹ̀bú) ọ̀nìyọ̀n, ọ̀ọ̀yọ̀n, ọ̀nìyàn

   ikà à fẹ́ k'á rerù k'à sọ̀, orí ọni ní í sọni ― The wicked does not wish that we fully discharge our obligbations, only the spirit of one's head can make that possible (proverb on the ill-intention of man)

Derived terms

• ọnikọ́ni (“anyone”)
• ọnọ̀kọn (“somebody”)
• ọnìkan (“someone”)
• ọnìkejì (“another person”)