ọwọ osi

Yoruba

Etymology

From ọwọ́ (“hand”) +‎ òsì (“left”). Often replaced with the term ọwọ́ àlàáfíà because of the similarity between òsì (left) and òṣì (“poverty, destitution”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̄.wɔ́ ò.sì/

Noun

ọwọ́ òsì

1. left-hand; left side

   Synonyms: apá òsì, (euphemistic) ọwọ́ àlàáfíà

   Antonyms: ọwọ́ ọ̀tún, apá ọ̀tún

   Ọwọ́ òsì ni ó ń bẹ̀ ― It's to the left hand side

   Ẹ má lo ọwọ́ òsì láti fúnni ní nǹkan. ― Don't use the left hand to give people things.

   Ọmọ àlè ló máa ń fọwọ́ òsì júwe ilé bàbá ẹ̀. ― It's an illegitimate child that points at their father's home with their left hand.

Derived terms

• lọ́wọ́ òsì