Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
eyini. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
eyini, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
eyini in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
eyini you have here. The definition of the word
eyini will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
eyini, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Yoruba
Etymology
From èyí + nị̀, nị̀/nì is used synonymously with èyinì, (compare with yẹn). Used historically among NWY and CY dialects. The opposition between the demonstrative pronouns 'this' and 'that' is expressed by èyí (or èí) and èyinì, nì respectively. In some SEY spoken varieties, however, it is ìyí and ìyẹn. While most CY dialects have maintained it, NWY experience an intralingual borrowing where èyinì was replaced by ìyẹn in academic settings as well as in Standard Yoruba education. Eyini can be seen in older standard Yoruba literature. In some NWY spoken varieties èyinì and ìyẹn are still used side by side, but with ìyẹn gaining ground over èyinì.[1]
Pronunciation
Pronoun
èyinì
- (CY) that thing/person
- Synonyms: (SEY, NWY) ìyẹn (“that”), nì, nị̀
- Antonyms: èyí (“this”), (Ekiti) èí (“this”), (SEY) ìyí (“this”)
ajá mi re èyinì- That is my dog
Usage notes
- Usually preceded by the "to-be" verb in Ekiti forms, rè
Derived terms
- èyí (“this”), yìí (“this”), ìí (“this”)
- yẹn (“that”), nì (“that”)
References
- ^ Abiodun, Adetugbọ (1967) “The Yoruba Language in Western Nigeria: Its major dialect areas”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)