dẹ

See also: Appendix:Variations of "de"

Yoruba

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɛ̀/

Verb

dẹ̀

1. to be soft or tender in texture

   ọsàn yìí ti dẹ̀ ― This orange has become soft

2. (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

3. to become reduced or weakened in degree or intensity

   ibà mi ti dẹ̀ ― My fever has reduced in intensity

4. to become comfortable or relaxed

Usage notes

• dẹ when preceding a direct object

Derived terms

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

 

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɛ̀/

Conjunction

dẹ̀

1. (Lagos, Ijebu) then, thus, and

   Synonyms: kẹ̀dẹ̀, sì

   A sọ̀rọ̀, a dẹ̀ ti jẹrun nẹ́ẹ̀ ― We spoke, and we also ate

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

1. (transitive, intransitive) to hunt; to set a trap

   Mo dẹ ìgèrè láti pẹja ― I set a metal fish trap to kill fish

2. (intransitive) to become a skillful hunter

Derived terms

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