Describing Family Members in Nigerian Pidgin
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
For Naija, family no be just blood — na full-blown association with drama, vibes, food, and plenty gbas gbos. Whether na your stubborn cousin wey dey chop anyhow, or that aunty wey dey form holier-than-thou but dey borrow wrapper, family na the root of everything. So how you wan talk about your people without knowing how to describe dem for correct Nigerian Pidgin?
Make we show you how to yan about your people like proper Naija pikin.
👨👧 Common Family Members & How to Refer to Dem
Mama – Your mother. The queen of the house.
“If no be my mama, I for don lose guard since.”
Papa – Father. The one wey go change TV channel while you dey watch.
“My papa strict die, but e get soft spot for akara.”
Pikin – Child/kid. No be only small children; sometimes even 35-year-old still be pikin if e still dey chop for house.
“That pikin sabi cry like say dem pay am.”
Unku/Aunty – Uncle/Aunt. Anybody wey senior you with at least 5 years and likes to advise you unprovoked.
“My aunty no dey gree person talk. Na so so ‘when I dey your age’ story.”
Sista/Broda – Sibling. Or just anybody close wey you don friend-zoned into family.
“My broda na sharp guy. Always dey wear native on Monday.”
Cousin – Still cousin o, but some go call am ‘my brother from another mother’.
“Na my cousin, but if you see the way e dey chop, you go think say na soldier.”
In-law – Na anybody wey marry person from your family. Or just appear once for wedding and never go again.
“Na my in-law, but e dey behave like landlord.”
🏛 Family Description Tok You Fit Use
Na first born wey no dey drop shishi.
That one na last born wey get coconut head.
My papa strict like NEPA, e no dey give light or allowance.
My mama sabi pray die – even for headache, na 21 days fasting straight.
That my cousin? Na cruise. If you like, hide food, e go still find am.
🧑🎓 Example Conversation
You: Who be that guy?
Response: Na my cousin na! That one wey always dey form investor but no dey contribute for fuel.
You: This woman dey vex o.
Response: No mind am, na my aunty. She dey vex since dem no give am meat inside jollof.
🧬 Wrap-Up: Family Na Family — Wahala Join Body
So as you dey describe your people, just know say for Pidgin, e no too hard. As long as your tone carry correct sarcasm and small side-eye, dem go know say you dey talk true.
Just no go use am yab person wey no get sense of humor — before dem call family meeting because of you.