100 Essential Esan Vocabulary and Meaning
Written by WilliamsPatrick Praise
The Esan language (spoken primarily in Edo Central, Nigeria) is part of the Edoid family. The language uses specialized orthography marks, such as sub-dots for open vowels (ẹ, ọ) and nasalized consonants (mhin/nhin).
Greetings & Courtesy
- Dọ́: Hello
- Bàkhiá: Good morning
- Aigbe-nan: Good afternoon
- Ọkhin-ewiẹ: Good night
- Obokhian: Welcome
- Obulu: Thank you
- Obekhian: Safe journey
- Uwandodo: Please
- Ọkhie-re: Goodnight / Till tomorrow
- Bodiaye?: How are you?
- B'átí ọ?:
What is your name?
People & Family
- Ọmọ́n: Child
- Ọria: Person
- Odo: Husband
- Okhuo: Woman / Wife
- Okpia: Man
- Ọdion: Elder / Senior twin
- Akhere: Younger twin / Younger sibling
- Ọmo-dion: Firstborn child
- Erha: Father
- Iye: Mother
- Ọten: Relative / Sibling
- Ojie: King / Chief
- Odibo:
Servant / Assistant
Anatomy & Body
- Ẹ̀lo: Eye / Face
- Ẹhọ: Ear
- Ihue: Nose
- Akọn: Tooth
- Ọlanmẹ: Tongue
- Obọ: Hand / Arm
- Owẹ: Leg / Foot
- Ẹkẹkẹ: Stomach
- Eto: Hair
- Ugue: Bone
- Aranlẹn: Blood
- Ìkpiabọ: Fingers Iguenoe: Knee
Numbers (Ẹlẹn)
- Ọkpa: One
- Eva: Two
- Eha: Three
- Ene: Four
- Isen: Five
- Ehan: Six
- Ihinron: Seven
- Elenren: Eight
- Isshinin: Nine
- Igbe: Ten
Food, Drinks & Nature
- Amẹn: Water
- Ebai: Food
- Ema: Pounded yam
- Ize: Rice
- Anyọn: Palm wine / Alcohol
- Ebe: Leaf
- Oran: Tree / Wood
- Udo: Stone
- Eranlẹn: Fire
- Ẹlẹn: Sun / Day
- Asọn: Night
- Ẹbhelẹ: Kola nut
Animals (Ẹnamhin)
- Awa: Dog
- Ẹbhe: Goat
- Ẹnyen: Snake
- Eni: Elephant
- Ekpen: Leopard
- Afiamhẹn: Bird
- Emẹlẹn: Monkey
- Oghogho: Ram
- Iru: Louse / Bug
- Oghombẹn: Eagle
Household Items & Places
- Owa: House
- Uki: Moon / Month
- Akhẹ: Clay pot
- Aga: Chair
- Odẹ: Doorway / Road
- Ẹrie: Kitchen
- Ofan: Path / Bush track
- Ekhu: Shutter / Door
- Agagba: Courtyard / Compound
- Eguae:
Palace
Common Verbs
- Daghẹ: To see
- Họn: To hear / To drink
- Da: To drink
- Khian: To go / To walk
- Bhre: To come
- Lẹ: To run
- Yọ: To sleep
- Gbe: To dance / To hit
- Ghu: To die
- Rẹ: To give
Abstract Concepts, Divine & Spiritual
- Osenobua: God (The Creator)
- Ehi: Destiny / Guardian Angel
- Eromọn: Prayer
- Esele: Gift / Blessing
- Ofure: Peace
- Eghonghon: Joy
- Uwa: Wealth / Prosperity
- Ebọ: Spirit / Supernatural deity
- Azẹn: Witchcraft
- Awua: Taboo / Forbidden
- Iziegbe: Patience
- Itohan: Mercy / Compassion
- Ivie: Coral beads/Jewels
- Ezo: Quarrel/Case
- Ukhumu: Medicine/Drug
- Ekpen: Respect/Honor
- Eghe: Time
