yepi

Sranan Tongo

Etymology

From earlier herepi, from English help or Dutch helpen. The initial y- may have originated from a glide in connected speech (compare yesi and yuru for a similar development) via the stages herepi (whence Saramaccan heépi) > *erepi > *yerepi (whence Aukan yeepi) followed by syncope of the intermediate syllable.

Verb

yepi

1. to help, assist, support, save

Descendants

• Aukan: yeepi
• Saramaccan: heépi

Noun

yepi

1. help, assistance

Derived terms

• yepiman (“helper”)

 

References

• yepi in Languages of Suriname, SIL International, 2003-2007, Sranan-English Dictionary