They say a smile is universal, but in Nigeria, the magic trick lies in knowing a few Yoruba words. In Yoruba culture, a hello is not just a hello. It is respect, connection, and sometimes an invitation to share a plate of jollof rice.
Sure, you can point and gesture your way throughout the trip, but you’ll miss out on making a market vendor smile because you used the right Yoruba phrases to greet them. So, if you want to go from foreigner to friend zone real quick, say a warm Ẹ káàrọ̀! – Good morning instead.
Keep reading to pick up more of these phrases in Yoruba and make your trip a whole lot smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Should You Learn Yoruba Phrases?
Most would think that learning local phrases revolves around asking questions or ordering food. But if you genuinely want to build a connection with the locals, you have to fully immerse yourself in their language. After all, in Yoruba culture, greetings are everything.
Since respect is big in Nigeria and other Yoruba-speaking communities, it is a must that you learn the common Yoruba phrases for every interaction. And, since Yoruba is a tonal language, mispronounced accents can give a different meaning than what you meant.
Whether you are greenhorn travelers to Nigeria or seasoned globetrotters, here are the must-learn phrases in Yoruba:
Beginner-Friendly Yoruba Phrases
This set of Yoruba phrases is perfect if you just want to say simple yet high-frequency words without complicated tones in between.
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Ẹ ǹlẹ́ o! | eh n-leh oh! |
| Thank you | Ẹ ṣé | eh-sheh |
| Thank you very much | Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀ | eh-sheh poo-paw |
| Please (formal/informal) | Ẹ jọ̀ọ́ / Jọ̀ọ́ | eh joh / joh |
| Yes | Bẹẹni | beh-eh-nee |
| No | Rárá | rah-rah |
| Excuse me | Má bínú | mah bee-noo |
| Sorry (formal/informal) | Ẹpẹ́lẹ́ / Pẹ́lẹ́ | eh-peh-leh / peh-leh |
| Good | Ó dára | oh dah-rah |
| Bad | Búburú | boo-boo-roo |
| So-So | Nítorí náà – Nítorí náà | nee-toh-ree nah – nee-toh-ree nah |
| I do not understand | Kò yé mi | koh yeh mee |
| I do not know | Èmi kò mọ̀ | eh-mee koh maw |
| I have no idea | Èmi kò ní ìmọ̀ kankan | eh-mee koh nee ee-moh kan-kan |
| What is this? | Kí ni èyí? | kee nee eh-yee |
| What is this called in Yoruba? | Kí ni nkan tí a ń pè ní èdè Yorùbá? | kee nee n-kahn tee ah n peh nee eh-deh yoh-roo-bah |
Essential Yoruba Greetings
After nailing the basics, expand your vocabulary to the phrases you’ll use when you greet in Yoruba. If you want to make a friend fast, start with these:
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Ẹ káàrọ̀ | eh kah-ah-raw |
| Good afternoon | Ẹ káàsán | eh kah-ah-sawn |
| Good evening | Ẹ káalẹ́ | eh kah-ah-leh |
| Good day | Ẹ káàbọ̀ ọjọ́ | eh kah-ah-boh oh-joh |
| Good night | Ó dàárọ̀ | oh dah-roh |
| Goodbye | Odàbọ̀ | oh-dah-baw |
| Have a nice day! | Od’igba | oh-dee-gbah |
| Happy birthday! | E ku ọdún ìbí | eh koo oh-doon ee-bee |
Make sure to include gestures like a slight bend or bow when you greet in Yoruba, especially when speaking to elders.
Everyday Yoruba Phrases
These are the daily expressions you’ll hear (and need!) every day you’re staying in Yoruba-speaking communities. Master these, and you won’t sound like a lost tourist.
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? | Báwo ni o ṣe wà? Báwo ni? | bah-woh nee oh sheh wah bah-woh nee |
| I am fine | Mo wà dáadáa | mohwah dah-dah |
| It’s okay / No problem | Kò tọ́ pé | koh taw peh |
| Let’s go (formal/informal) | Ẹ Jẹ́ k’á lọ / Jẹ́ k’á lọ | eh jeh kah law/ jeh kah law |
| What’s your name? | Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? | kee nee oh-roo-koh reh |
| My name is… | Orúkọ mi ni… | oh-roo-koh mee nee… |
| Please wait | Ẹ jọwọ dúró | eh jo-weh doo-roh |
| Have you eaten? (common greeting) | Ṣé o ti jẹun? | sheh oh tee jeh-oon |
Polite Yoruba Phrases
Respect is huge in Yoruba culture. To stay polite while staying classy, here are the phrases you should remember:
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Well done (acknowledge someone’s effort) | Ẹ kú iṣẹ́ | eh koo ee-sheh |
| Welcome! (arrivals) | Ẹ káàbọ̀! | eh kah-ah-baw |
| Welcome back from your trip | Ẹ kú ìrìn àjò | eh koo ee-reen ah-jaw |
| Congratulations | Ẹ kú oríre | eh koo oh-ree-reh |
| Thank you for your time | Ẹ kú ìṣẹ́jú mẹ́ta | eh koo ee-sheh-joo meh-tah |
| Please, can I help you? | Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ṣe mo lè ràn yín lọ́wọ́? | eh joh, sheh moh leh ran yeen law-oh? |
| Enjoy your rest | Ẹ kú ìsinmi | eh koo ee-seen-mee |
Market And Street Survival Yoruba Phrases
Markets in Nigeria are known to be vibrant, loud, and full of life. Hence, having the right Yoruba words and phrases makes all the difference.
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is it? | Ẹlẹ́wọ̀n ni? | eh-leh-wohn nee |
| I want to buy this | Mo fẹ́ rira eyi | moh feh ree-rah eh-yee |
| That’s too expensive | Ó wọ́n jú | oh wawn joo |
| Can you reduce the price? | Ṣé ẹ lè dín owó náà kù? | sheh eh leh deen oh-woh nah koo? |
| Please give me a good one | Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ẹ fún mi ní tó dáa | eh joh, eh foon mee nee toh dah? |
| Don’t surprise me (playful bargaining) | Má ṣe yá mi lẹ́nu | mah sheh yah mee leh-noo |
| Please, where can I find…? | Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ibo ni mo ti lè rí…? | eh jaw, ee-boh nee moh tee leh ree… |
| Excuse me, let me pass | Ẹ ṣé, ẹ̀ jẹ́ kí n kọjá | eh sheh, eh jeh kee n koh-jah |
| It’s delicious | Ó dùn gan | oh doon gahn |
How Do You Say Phrases In Yoruba?
“Phrase” or “word” in Yoruba is ọ̀rọ̀ (pronounced aw-raw). But, if you want to say “words” or “phrases” in the plural sense and be extra clear, say àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ instead. Hence, you can use the phrase Àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá to mean Yoruba phrases.
More Fun Yoruba Phrases For More Lively Conversations
To add more Yoruba words to your already growing vocabulary, here’s a quick-fire list of extra phrases so you can say more than just hello in Yoruba.
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Safe journey! | Ẹ kú ìrìn àjò | eh koo ee-reen ah-jo |
| Please wait | Jọ̀wọ́ dúró | jaw-woh doo-roh |
| Don’t worry | Má ṣe àníyàn | mah sheh ah-nee-yahn |
| Take it easy | Má ṣe wàhálà | mah sheh wah-hah-lah |
| I’m hungry | Ebi ń pa mí | eh-bee n pah mee |
| Wow! / Amazing! | Ẹlẹ́wà gan! | eh-leh-wah gahn |
| You’re handsome/beautiful | O lẹ́wà | oh leh-wah |
| You’re very funny | O yáwó gan | oh yah-woh gahn |
| That’s great! | Ó dáa púpọ̀ | oh dah poo-paw |
| Let’s dance! | Ẹ jẹ́ ká jó | eh jeh kah jaw |
Must-Remember Tips For Learning Yoruba Phrases
We all know one or a few more benefits when learning a new language for travel, especially to a country like Nigeria. But if there’s one thing that is common among all languages of the world, it’s this: locals love it when you try to speak their language.
Since Yoruba is no different, here are some travel-tested tips for learning the language in a fun, no-stress way:
- Listen before you speak: Since Yoruba is a tonal language, just a mere change in pitch changes the meaning of the word. Like when singing, if you mix up the tones, you could say “banana” instead of “mother.” If you have the time, spend more time listening to the native speakers first so you can get the hang of the language.
- Start with Yoruba greetings: If there’s one thing you should master from all the Yoruba phrases you learned, it should be greetings. Yoruba culture values respect and politeness, hence even the basic greetings go a long way already. Apart from being easy to remember, you’ll use greetings multiple times in a day, so they stick fast in memory.
- Learn through music: Apart from learning Yoruba with Ling, you can listen to Yoruba folk songs or Afrobeats to help you recognize common words. Plus, you’ll also feel the tone and rhythm of this vibrant language.
- Practice without fail, even if you make mistakes: It is completely normal, not to mention expected, that you will mess up. You’ll forget words, mix tones, and even say something funny by accident. But, if there’s one thing locals appreciate more, it’s your effort to learn their language. So don’t be afraid to try speaking the language. Speak slowly if you must, but don’t stop trying.
- Use it daily: If you have an upcoming trip to Nigeria and other regions where the Yoruba language is spoken, don’t wait until you get there to practice. Start by slipping a few Yoruba words into your day. Label objects with sticky notes in Yoruba or say “thank you” in Yoruba. It may feel silly at first, but these small repetitions add up and build muscle memory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoruba Phrases
How To Express Love In Yoruba?
To tell someone you love them in Yoruba, you can start with the more literal of these Yoruba phrases: Mo nífẹ́ rẹ (moh nee-feh reh). If you want to add an extra layer of sweetness, add púpọ̀ at the end and say Mo nífẹ́ rẹ púpọ̀ (I love you very much). Just make sure you get the tone right: it is everything in Yoruba.
What Does Epele Mean In Yoruba Language?
Ẹpẹ́lẹ́ is a polite expression in the Yoruba language that means “sorry” or “take it easy.” You use this when you try to calm a heated situation or offer comfort. For example, you can say Ẹpẹ́lẹ́ after bumping into someone (which means “Sorry about that” in this context), respectfully acknowledging your mistake.
What Is Yeye Oge In Yoruba?
Yéyé Ògé is a playful phrase used as a compliment. It describes a woman who is not only stylish or trendy but also carries herself with confidence. It translates to “fashionable lady” or “style queen.”
Speak, Smile, Repeat: Yoruba Phrases Is The Way To Go
Speaking Yoruba, even just a little, is more than just a simple language practice. It is a sign that you value the traditions and identity of the people you meet. With the few Yoruba phrases you have learned, you can now break down barriers and turn strangers into your newest friends.
With approximately 20 million people speaking Yoruba worldwide, locals would notice the effort you’ve put in, making them warm up to you faster. You just don’t communicate to say thank you in Yoruba. You are creating moments with the locals, bound by a shared sense of respect and joy.
Add Yoruba Flair To Your Travels With Ling!
Language, no matter what you’re learning, is not just about greeting the locals the right way or asking for directions. It is about showing respect while creating genuine and lasting connections with the locals.
If you want to take your Yoruba beyond just a few phrases, meet your ultimate travel language companion – the Ling app! With Ling, you can explore Yoruba and 70+ other languages in bite-sized, gamified lessons. Whether you only have 10 minutes before boarding your flight or a lazy morning before sightseeing, you can practice your introduction through engaging conversations in Dialogs.
Bring more than just a passport to Nigeria and learn Yoruba by downloading Ling today!
