100 DAILY ẸDO WORDS & EXPRESSIONS
ẸDOMAYE LEGACY FOUNDATION
WE ARE IN BENIN
Forward Ever, Backward Never.
ABOUT THE 100-DAY ẸDO LANGUAGE PROJECT
ẸMWẸ ỌGHẸDẸGBEDẸGBE VBEHE IYISẸN is a 100-Day Ẹdo Language Learning and Heritage Programme created to encourage the daily learning, use, documentation and preservation of the Ẹdo (Benin) language.
Each day introduces an Ẹdo word or expression together with its English meaning. Where one Ẹdo word carries different meanings, the different meanings are deliberately retained. This reflects the richness of the language and the importance of context.
ONE ẸDO WORD MAY CARRY MORE THAN ONE MEANING.
DAYS 1–25
1. Ọmọ — Child
2. Ọmọrẹfe — Child is wealth
3. Ọmọrọdiọn — Child is senior
4. Ọmọrogiuwa — Child is the King of wealth
5. Ọmọsẹfe — Child is greater than wealth
6. Ọmọsumwẹ — A child leads me
7. Ọmọsigho — Child is more than wealth
8. Ọmọrowa — Child is a home
9. Ọmọdiọn — Senior child
10. Ọmọdamwẹ — The child is mine / My own child
11. Ọmọbude — A child is a source of wise counsel / brings honour and good advice
12. Ọyẹmwẹ — Happiness / Joy
13. Ọyẹmwẹngbe — Personal joy / Personal happiness
14. Iye — Mother
15. Iyemwẹ — My mother
16. Erha — Father
17. Erhamwẹ — My father
18. Ọbowiẹ — Good morning
19. Ọbavan — Good afternoon
20. Ọbota — Good evening
21. Ọkhionwiẹ — Good night
22. Ọbimwina — Well done
23. Ọbokhian — Welcome
24. Ọbevbaru — Well work / Well done
25. Ọbitota — Well sitted
FAMILY EXPRESSIONS
Iyemwẹ tie ruẹ.
My mother is calling.
Erhamwẹ tie ruẹ.
My father is calling.
Iyemwẹ riẹki.
My mother is going to the market.
Erhamwẹ riugbo.
My father is going to farm.
DAYS 26–37
26. Wẹnrẹn — To be thin
27. Khere — To be small
28. Mose — To be beautiful
29. Newẹnrẹ — Thin
30. Nekhere — Small
31. Aban — Native handcuff
32. Abẹe — Pen knife
33. Abẹmwẹ — Stammerer
34. Afiala — Flag
35. Agbaka — Crocodile
36. Agbakpan — Bald person
37. Agbanmwẹ — Chin / lower jaw
DAYS 38–64
38. Sẹkẹsẹkẹ — Filthy / dirty
39. Sẹlẹkẹ — Dirty / filthy object
40. Sẹrae — Leave behind
41. Sẹrhiẹnrhiẹ — Revoke a curse
42. Sẹrriọ — Up to that
43. Sẹrrio — Such that
44. Sẹrriọ — So much / so
45. Ẹwu — Dress
46. Sẹsẹsẹ — Very clean
47. Sẹsẹsẹ — Very white
48. Sẹtin — To be able
49. Sẹtin — To be strong enough
50. Sẹtin — To do something
51. Sẹtin — Capable of doing something
52. Sikaẹn — To become strong
53. Sikaẹn — To become sound
54. Sikẹẹ — To be close to
55. Sikoko — To assemble
56. Sikuẹn — To crouch
57. Sikuẹn — To fold over
58. Sikuẹn — To bend
59. Sihuan — To sing a song
60. Sihuan — To sing
61. Tafia — To be nosy
62. Tafia — To meddle
63. Tafia — To interfere
64. Tafia — To be forward
DAYS 65–90
65. Agbaziro — Confidant
66. Ahẹn — Siegbe
67. Ahiọ — Urine
68. Aho — Hoe
69. Ahoẹmwọmwa — Love
70. Ahoẹmwọmwa — Amity
71. Ahoẹmwọmwa — Goodwill
72. Akobẹ — Metal trap
73. Akuọmọ — Womb
74. Akota — Evening
75. Akugbe — Unity
76. Akiyẹyẹ — Foolery
77. Akiyẹyẹ — Joke
78. Akuaghagha — Tree
79. Akuirọn — A dark brown bird
80. Ako — Fruits tree
81. Ako — Gift parcel
82. Ako — Present
83. Oko — Present
84. Akha — Weaver bird
85. Akhaẹ — Stinginess
86. Akhasẹ — Prophet
87. Akhe — Clay pita
88. Akhiẹ — Mourning
89. Okhiọnkpa — Loner
90. Akhuẹ — Marble
DAYS 91–100
91. Iruẹmwi — Learning
92. Orinmwi — Corpse / Dead body
93. Erhan — Wood
94. Okperhan — Big tree
95. Orhunmwu — Pear
96. Iyan — Yam
97. Ogui — Bush mango
98. Ivienbo — Coconut
99. Ibata — Shoe
100. Urhukpa — Light
ADDITIONAL VERIFIED VOCABULARY
Ẹhi — Guiding Angel
Ikpolo — Sweeping
Ukpokpo — Stitch
Ukpọn ọmọ — Child’s cloth
Ukpọlọ — Plant name
Okperhan — Tree
Erhan — Wood
Mẹẹ — I
Vbẹki — In the market
Nodẹ — Yesterday
Ọghẹdẹ — Plantain
Mẹẹ dẹ ọghẹdẹ vbẹki nodẹ.
I bought plantain in the market yesterday.
WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
Ẹdo language is a major part of the cultural identity and heritage of the Benin people. Documentation creates a resource that learners, teachers, students, researchers and future generations can consult and build upon.
This 100-Day project is therefore not simply a list of translations. It is part of an ongoing effort to document, teach, preserve and transmit Ẹdo language and cultural knowledge.
ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ẸDOMAYE LEGACY FOUNDATION.
ẸDOMAYE LEGACY FOUNDATION
WE ARE IN BENIN
Forward Ever, Backward Never.
Author: Edomaye Legacy Foundation
Edomaye Legacy Foundation preserves and promotes Edo language, culture, and heritage for learners and future generations. Through digital education, storytelling, and community programs, we ensure Edo traditions and knowledge are actively learned, celebrated, and passed on. Forward ever, backward never.
