THE SYNONYMS: Ẹ̀TẸ̀, ÒFÉ & Ọ̀KPÙ
One day, an argument broke out between three friends—Àkpà, Ákọ, and Òcholi—over the Igala words for “under” or “beneath.”
🔹 Àkpà: “Ẹ́ñwu ch’òfé ọ̀là k’ẹ̀ kà-í táá?” (What’s the meaning of that statement?)
🔹 Òcholi: “First, rephrase your question! What is ‘Ẹ́ñwu ch’òfé’?”
🔹 Àkpà: “Is that Greek or Igala?”
🔹 Òcholi: “It should be, ‘Ẹ́ñwú ch’ẹ̀tẹ̀ ọ̀là k’ẹ̀ kà-í?’”
🔹 Ákọ: “In my area, we say ‘Ọ̀kpù ọ̀là.’ That’s the beauty of our language—one meaning, different expressions!”
Let’s break it down:
1. Ẹ̀TẸ̀ (Under, Root, Meaning)
✅ A preposition for “under” or “beneath.”
📖 “Ẹ̀ má d’ẹ̀tẹ̀ olí ṅ, ẹ́ mà alu k’àfù áchòó ṅ.”
(If you’re not under a tree, you won’t know how troubled it is by the wind.)
✅ Can also mean “meaning,” “motive,” or “root cause.”
📌 “Ẹ̀tẹ̀ ọ̀là-i che kakinii…” (The meaning of this statement is…)
✅ Sometimes, it refers to “origin” or “foundation.”
📌 Itobè comes from “Ẹ̀tẹ̀-òbé” (root of trade).
🛑 Òfé cannot replace Ẹ̀tẹ̀ in this last context.
❓ Would you use Ọ̀kpù instead?
2. ÒFÉ (Under, Buttocks)
✅ Can mean “under” or “beneath” (Òfé olí – under a tree).
✅ Also means “buttocks” (Synonym: Ọ̀kpù).
📌 “Ú neke hì òfé wánẹ́ẹ̀ ṅ.” (I can’t even sit down to rest—I’m very busy!)
📌 Alternative: “Hì ọ̀kpù wánẹ́ẹ̀.”
3. Ọ̀KPÙ (Base, Origin, Stump)
✅ Can mean “stump” or “trunk.”
📌 “Ọ̀kpù uchu” (The hard part of a yam tuber).
✅ Can also mean “origin” or “foundation.”
📌 “Ọ̀kpù ọfẹ” (The beginning of a dynastic rule).
✅ Used in idioms:
📖 “Ọ̀kpù wẹ mú tu.” (Your secret has been exposed!)
Which of these words do you use most in your area?
Drop your answer in the comments!
