![]() ![]() ![]() This translates to many things in English that include:įor instance: someone asks you if you have money to lend him, you can reply with I no get (I don’t have).Īnother scenario is when someone tells you something you have no clue about or find it difficult to understand, you can say I no get/I no dey follow or I no understand (I don’t understand). You may say no wahala (don’t worry or there’s no problem) or notin spoil (all is well, there’s no ruin). Notin SpoilĪn example is when someone steps on your toe and apologizes and probably offers to clean your shows. The facial expression and accompanying hand gestures differentiate both scenarios.Ī similar expression here is No be lie! which translates to show agreement, concur with what another person is telling you, or express a mutual opinion. This is often used to show that what someone says is a lie or a big surprise when you hear something stunning. The negation of Na so or no be so? is as follows:įor instance, you could ask: ‘ Na so dem dey marry for una area, abi? It means: ‘This is how wedding rites are performed in your place, right?’ 9. This originated from the Igbo language, and in the Nigerian pidgin language, it is used in terms of confirmation. Although it directly means please, it may also serve as a warning when the tone changes from a rather friendly one to a more stern manner. The speaker’s tone is essential whenever jor is used in a statement. ![]() Comot for here jor (Please, leave this place). Example: Free me jor (Please, leave me alone). Jor (joor): originally a Yoruba word that means ‘please.’ In Nigerian pidgin language, it is mostly not used independently but often used as part of a phrase or sentence to emphasize something or make a request.I take God beg you (I beg you in God’s name).You can exclaim abeg! to show that you didn’t do it or you’re disgusted. An example is where someone accuses you of picking or probably spoiling their belonging. In some instances, it can be used by someone to exonerate himself. This translates to how are you in English. Nigerian Pidgin Phrases Every Beginner Should Know 1. Some of these words include sef (used to emphasize a preceding statement), chop-chop (one who eats a lot, embezzles, or mishandles), and gist (chat/gossip), among others. Due to this, many words that originate from the Nigerian pidgin have found their way into the Oxford English Dictionary. The Nigerian pidgin has a huge acceptance in Nigeria and other countries outside of the country. Also, it is common among Eastern trading regions, including Onitsha, Aba, Umuahia, and notably in use in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Benin City. Therefore, on a broad view, it is spoken in all geopolitical zones with documented statistics showing a higher use in the oil-rich South-South regions such as Warri and Sapele. As a nation composed of over 500 different languages, Pidgin English gives a means of understanding among the country’s people. The advancement in urbanization and national integration has fostered the spread of the Pidgin English language beyond the local/rural communities, into big cities, and even outside the country. The new generation slangs in Nigeria have opened the Nigeran Pidgin to numerous short trending phrases and expressions that bear little importance to the wider population but can form the entire basis of a conversation among young Nigerians. In recent times, Pidgin English usage among the youths has boosted the vocabulary content, and it is widely spread through pop culture, music, comedy skits, and movies, among others. For instance, di food burn well well (The food really got burnt), I fit die now now (I can die immediately), di money don finish kia-kia (The money has finished quickly-quickly). Similarly, many Nigerian languages have reduplication, which has been infused into the pidgin language. For instance, Walahi (sincerely – Hausa), obodo oyibo (white man’s land – Igbo), Koro (short cut, dark alley, or dirt road – Isoko), Una (plural of you (from unu) – Igbo), and Abi (Right – Yoruba). In the history of Nigerian pidgin, words were borrowed from many indigenous languages. Also, many Nigerian languages omit the preposition ‘to.’ This influences an instance such as I wan go market (I want to go to the market). Many Nigerian languages describe eating in the same manner as chopping (cutting into pieces). The Nigerian pidgin, like any other pidgin, borrows words and language structure of indigenous languages. ![]()
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