Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
japa. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
japa, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
japa in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
japa you have here. The definition of the word
japa will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
japa, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Borrowed from Yoruba jápa and Nigerian Pidgin japa.
Pronunciation
- (Nigeria) IPA(key): /d͡ʒá.k͡pā/
Verb
japa (third-person singular simple present japas, present participle japaing, simple past and past participle japaed or japa'd)
- (Nigeria, colloquial) to emigrate from a country for better pay or working conditions.
-
- "I am japa-ing, leaving the country because of the opportunities that are available to me abroad."
Noun
japa (uncountable)
- (Nigeria, colloquial) the emigration of Nigerians, usually for economic opportunities.
Nigerian Pidgin
Etymology
From Yoruba jápa.
Pronunciation
Verb
japa
- to relocate; to emigrate
Polish
Etymology
Uncertain. Possibly from German jappen, from German Low German gapen, from Middle Low German gāpen.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈja.pa/
- Rhymes: -apa
- Syllabification: ja‧pa
Noun
japa f
- (colloquial, derogatory) human face
- (colloquial, derogatory) human mouth
Declension
Interjection
japa
- (derogatory) shut up!
Further reading
- japa in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
- japa in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Portuguese
Etymology
From japonês (“Japanese”) or Japão (“Japan”).
Pronunciation
Noun
japa m or f by sense (plural japas)
- (Brazil, colloquial, sometimes derogatory) a person from Japan or of Japanese descent
Adjective
japa m or f (plural japas)
- (Brazil, colloquial, sometimes derogatory) from Japan or of Japanese descent
Derived terms
Spanish
Noun
japa f (plural japas)
- female equivalent of japo
Yoruba
Alternative forms
Etymology
From já (“to dart, dash”) + pa (“intensifier”). Slang term likely popularised by Naira Marley’s 2018 song, Japa.
Pronunciation
Verb
jápa
- to run away, to flee
- Synonyms: sá lọ, júbà ehoro, họ, na pápá bora, fẹsẹ̀ fẹ́ẹ, sá
2018, Naira Marley (lyrics and music), “Japa”, 0:52–1:08:Jápa jápa, jápa lọ London // Jápa jápa, já wọ Canada // Jápa jápa, já wọ Chicago // Jápa jápa, já lọ sí Africa- Japa japa, japa to London // Japa japa, flee to Canada // Japa japa, flee to Chicago // Japa japa, flee to Africa.
- (colloquial) to japa; to emigrate from a country, typically for better pay or working conditions.
- Wọ́n fẹ́ jápa. ― They want to relocate.
2022 November 29, “Ẹ̀yin tí ẹ̀ ń jápa ẹ ṣọ́ra kí wọ́n má baà jà yín ní olè – Lai Mohammed [You who are emigrating, be careful to not get robbed - Lai Mohammed]”, in BBC Yorùbá:
Descendants