obinrin

Etymology is uncertain, several linguistic hypotheses exist. It is proposed to derive from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ́-bɪ̃̀rɪ̃, this form still exists in Central Yoruba dialects. Akinkugbe suggests it may be equivalent to abo (“female”) +‎ ẹni (“person”). The consonant /b/ exists in several basic female words, including òbò (“vagina”), abo (“female”).

• IPA^(key): /ō.bĩ̀.ɾĩ̄/

obìnrin

1. woman, female

   Synonym: abo

   bí ọkùnrín bá rí ejò, tí obìnrin sì pa á, kò burú; kí ejò ṣáà má ti lọ

   If a man sees a snake, and a woman kills it, that is not bad; the important thing is for the snake not to escape

2. wife

   Synonyms: aya, ìyàwó

   èyí t'ó wù ẹ́ kò wù mí ni kò jẹ́ k'á pawó pọ̀ láti fẹ́ obìnrin

   What appeals to you may not appeal to me, this is why we cannot pool our financial resources together to marry one wife

   (proverb on personal preference)

• ọkùnrin

• Adebayo, Taofeeq SOME DIACHRONIC CHANGES IN YORUBA GRAMMAR [1], 2020