Yorùbá people are notorious for their bad mouths. We have a tendency to be quite loud in voice tone and as if that isn’t enough problem, we also have a tendency for insults and curses. To the extent that, other Nigerian tribes want to learn how to insult people from us! And that’s what this article is about. To give you a glimpse into just 55 of the hundreds of insults available to the average Yoruba person’s brain. Check ’em below.
1. Olóríbúrúkú
It is pronounced as oh-loh-ree-boo-roo-koo
Meaning: A person with a bad head.
2. Aṣiwèrè
Pronounced as: ah-she-ay-rayMeaning: A person who’s gone mad.
3. Asínwín
Pronounced as: ah-see-n-wee-nMeaning: Mentally insane person.
The “n” in pronunciation is slightly silent.
4. Bọ̀lọ̀
Pronounced as: baw-lawMeaning: Not smart/dull person
5. Ọ̀dẹ̀
Pronounced as: aw-dehMeaning: Fool
6. Òpònú
Pronounced as: oh-poh-noo
Meaning: a mentally sick person.7. Dọ̀dọ̀yọ̀
Pronounced as: daw-daw-yaw
Meaning: Mentally slow8. Aláìlójúti
Pronounced as: ah-lah-ee-loh-joo-tee
Meaning: shameless person9. Ẹranko
Pronounced as: eh-raw-n-koh
Meaning: animal10. Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀
Pronounced as: eh-leh-deh
Meaning: Pig11. Arìndìn
Pronounced as: ah-ree-n-dee-n
Meaning: Mentally deficient/slow brained12. Olódo
Pronounced as: oh-loh-doh
Meaning: Empty headed
13. Olóṣì
Pronounced as: oh-loh-shee
Meaning: A person that does rubbish or irresponsible things
14. Wère
Pronounced as: way-ray
Meaning: Mad person15. Ọmọ àlè
Pronounced as: aw-maw-ah-lay
Meaning: Bastard16. Èèyàn játijàti
Pronounced as: ay-yaw-n+ jah-tee-jah-tee
Meaning: A rubbish person17. Áláyémáṣ’ànfàní
Pronounced as: ah-lah-yay-mah-sha-n-fah-nee
Meaning: A person whose life can’t amount to anything18. Òmùgọ̀
Pronounced as: oh-moo-gaw
Meaning: Dumb person19. Aṣẹ́wó
Pronounced as: ah-sheh-woh
Meaning: Prostitute20. Oló’òórun
Pronounced as: oh-loh-oh-roo-n
Meaning: Smelly person21. Èèyàn lásán-làsàn
Pronounced as: ay-yaw-n + lah-saw-n-lah-saw-n
Meaning: An ordinary person of no worth22. Òbùn
Meaning: dirty personPronounced: aw-boo-n
23. Éleríibu
Meaning: A bad headed personPronounced: ay-lay-ree-ee-boo
24. Ode buruku
Meaning: Severe fool25. Sófo
Meaning: Gossiper26. Olofofo
Meaning: one who spreads gossip27. Elejo wewe
Meaning: Talkative28. Alainironu ara Galatia
Meaning: The thoughtless/shameless person from Galatia (drawn from the Bible)29. Ọdaju
Meaning: Heartless person30. Ọmọ òfò
Meaning: A waste of a child31. Olórí nla
Meaning: Big Head32. Apoda
Meaning: Fool33. Sule egbera
Meaning: dull person from Egbera (I think?)34. Su’egbe
Meaning: Slow Person35. Olounje iya
Meaning: Gluuton for food36. Sugọmu
Meaning: Dullard37. Ẹranko
Meaning: Animal38. Ewurẹ
Meaning: Goat39. Atọọle
Meaning: One that bed-wets40. Aṣule
Meaning: One that poos right in their pants.41. Onibaje oṣi
Meaning: Spoilt and rubbish person.42. Ọbun
Meaning: Dirty person43. Agbaya
Meaning: Useless elder44. Ọ̀bọ langido
Meaning: Monkey from Langido (I guess?)45. Alapa stainless
Literal Meaning: One whose arms are made of stainless steel.
Meaning in Context: Useless arms
46. Gbeborun
Meaning: One that pokes their nose in other people’s business.47. Sofo
Meaning: One that gossips a lot.48. Ori ẹ o pe
Meaning: Your head is not correct.48. Igbadun ti jina si ẹ
Meaning: Enjoyment / Wellness is far from you49. Iyanla iya ẹ!
Meaning: Your great grand mother is…. ! (well, fill in the gap with any curse.)50. Iya ẹ!
Meaning: Your mother!51. Baba ẹ
Meaning: Your Father!52. Ko dẹ ni da fun ẹ
Meaning: And it will not be well with you.53. Gbẹnu ofo sọun
Meaning: Stop talking with that unfortunate mouth.54. O dẹ maa ṣoriibu ni
Meaning: And you will be unfortunate.55. Olobo Town council
Meaning: A lady that has slept with all the men in town.NB.
There are so much more! Please use with care. These are insults. They are mental and emotional daggers. Use with caution. Ire o!
