Softly-softly (English) Sofri sofri (Nigerian English)

 Softly-softly is an English expression used informally to suggest that one should approach a situation with caution and patience.

Just like the English expression, the phrase ‘sofri sofri’ exists as a localized version which is a Nigerian Pidgin adaptation of the English phrase ‘softly softly.’ The pidgin ‘sofri, sofri’ may have emerged as a mispronunciation of ‘softly, softly.’

The term ‘sofri sofri’ is a reduplication of ‘softly,’ a common feature in Nigerian Pidgin that adds emphasis, rhythm and a sense of urgency to expressions. This mirrors other Nigerian Pidgin phrases like ‘small small’ (little by little), ‘quick quick’ (very fast), etc.

Both ‘softly softly’ and ‘sofri, sofri’ maintain the meaning of approaching a situation with a sense of caution, care, or gradual action. Many will recall the popular Nigerian phrase: ‘sofri sofri catch monkey.’