eyini

Yoruba

Etymology

From èyí +‎ nị̀, nị̀/nì is used synonymously with èyinì, (compare with yẹn). Used historically among NWY and CY dialects. The opposition between the demonstrative pronouns 'this' and 'that' is expressed by èyí (or èí) and èyinì, nì respectively. In some SEY spoken varieties, however, it is ìyí and ìyẹn. While most CY dialects have maintained it, NWY experience an intralingual borrowing where èyinì was replaced by ìyẹn in academic settings as well as in Standard Yoruba education. Eyini can be seen in older standard Yoruba literature. In some NWY spoken varieties èyinì and ìyẹn are still used side by side, but with ìyẹn gaining ground over èyinì.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /è.jī.nĩ̀/

Pronoun

èyinì

1. (CY) that thing/person

   Synonyms: (SEY, NWY) ìyẹn (“that”), nì, nị̀

   Antonyms: èyí (“this”), (Ekiti) èí (“this”), (SEY) ìyí (“this”)

   ajá mi re èyinì

   That is my dog

Usage notes

• Usually preceded by the "to-be" verb in Ekiti forms, rè

Derived terms

• rèyinì

Related terms

• èyí (“this”), yìí (“this”), ìí (“this”)
• yẹn (“that”), nì (“that”)