Respect, kindness, and community. Three values that are superstars in the Yoruba culture. What do these three have in common? They start with two simple words: Ẹ ṣé – thank you.
Whether you’re preparing a trip to Nigeria or you want to speak like a local, you’ll need to put the thank you in Yoruba phrase in your back pocket. So, if you’re ready to have a deeper connection with the culture, let’s explore how you can do it most naturally and respectfully in this guide.
What Is The Best Way To Say Thank You In Yoruba?
The most direct way of saying thank you in Yoruba is Ẹ ṣé (eh SHAY). It’s the go-to “thank you” phrase in almost every setting. But it works best if you want to show respect to someone older than you or be polite to a stranger.
A slightly more formal phrase is Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀ (eh SHAY poo-poh), which means “thanks a lot.” Use this if you want to express deep gratitude in a respectful or polite setting.
But if you are talking with close friends of the same age or who are younger than you, O ṣé (oh SHAY) is its more casual, friendly version. This is the Yoruba language version of “thanks.”
Since Yoruba is a tonal language, pronounce the expressions properly. Pronunciation matters a lot, apart from the smile.
Other Yoruba Phrases For Thank You
Ẹ ṣé is just the start of your long practice for learning Yoruba. Since gratitude runs deep in this culture, knowing the right “thank you” can help you leave a lasting impression.
With the Yoruba language spoken by more than 20 million Nigerians, learning the other common Yoruba expressions of thanks is essential.
Take advantage of the Ling app‘s Dialog feature to help you practice with your Yoruba language phrases, even when you have no one to practice with!
Thank You Very Much – Ẹ Ṣé Gan An
Ẹ ṣé gan an (eh SHAY gan-an), which means “thank you very much,” is best used for thanking someone who did you a huge favor. Whether it’s a surprise act of kindness or someone helped you in a very challenging situation, this Yoruba thank you phrase adds extra weight to the gratitude you’re feeling.
Thanks Be To God – Ọpẹ Ni Fún Ọlọ́run
If you believe the help you received is divine intervention, a simple Ẹ ṣé is not enough. Not because God doesn’t appreciate a simple thank you, but because it does not fit the context of the situation.
Hence, we have Ọpẹ ni fún Ọlọ́run (oh-peh nee foon oh-loh-roon), so you can directly give your thanks to God. Whether you received good news, had safe travels, or answered prayers, you can acknowledge the divine help you got with this expression.
God Will Reward You – Ọlọ́run Yóò San Án Fún Ẹ
When you’re truly grateful, you also want that person who helped you to be blessed as well. This is the essence of Ọlọ́run yóò san án fún ẹ (oh-loh-roon yo san an foon eh) – God will reward you. This beautiful Yoruba thank you combines “thank you” with a blessing.
Reserve this phrase for friends, family, or even strangers who have been truly generous or kind to you. Don’t just thank them; say a little prayer, too, that God will repay them for the good they did.
Yoruba Words And Phrases For Thank You
Whether it’s your first time traveling to Nigeria or you just want a cheat sheet, here’s a quick list of the essential phrases for saying thank you in Yoruba you shouldn’t forget.
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | Ẹ ṣé | eh SHAY |
| Thanks | Ṣéun | shay-OON |
| Thanks a lot | Ẹ ṣéun | eh SHAY-oon |
| Thank you very much | Ẹ ṣé gan an | eh SHAY gan-an |
| Thanks be to God | Ọpẹ ni fún Ọlọ́run | oh-peh nee foon oh-loh-roon |
| God will reward you | Ọlọ́run yóò san án fún ẹ | oh-loh-roon yo san an foon eh |
How Do You Say Thank You In Yoruba?
Ẹ ṣé (eh SHAY) is the most common way of saying thank you in Yoruba. It’s appropriate when you’re being polite or showing respect to a stranger or someone older than you. The informal version, for use with friends and people you know, is O ṣé (oh SHAY).
Traveler-Friendly Tips For Saying Thank You in Yoruba
Now that you know how to say thank you in Yoruba, it’s time you practice what you’ve learned. You can now combine these thank you phrases with the Yoruba greetings you’ve learned previously.
But to make the most of these newly learned thank you phrases, read up on some tips:
- Stay safe with Ẹ ṣé: If you’re new to Nigeria and unsure whether the setting you’re in is casual or formal, stick with Ẹ ṣé. Whether elders or younger people hear it, this thank you phrase is well-received.
- Listen for the responses: After saying Ẹ ṣé, you might hear Ẹ káàbọ̀! / Káàbọ̀!, or ‘You’re welcome’ (formal/informal), in response. Paying attention to how the locals respond will improve your ear and help you better respond to them naturally.
- Practice with the locals: You don’t have to hire a tutor to learn Yoruba. Daily interactions with street vendors or taxi drivers will help you recognize the right tone and pronunciation of the expressions. You might get a Ẹ kú ìjọ̀sìn (Well done for your effort) in return.
- Learn with Ling: If you’re shy to practice with Nigerian folk straightaway, learn everything about the language and the culture behind it with Ling. Native speaker audio paired with cultural lessons and speech recognition features makes you gain a deeper appreciation for the language.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thank You In Yoruba
How Do You Show Respect In Yoruba?
oruba culture is big on respect, especially towards authority figures, elders, and strangers. One way they show respect in Yoruba is by using polite greetings like Ẹ ṣé (thank you) and Ẹ káàárọ̀ (good morning). Another way is through a slight kneel or bow. Men may bow their heads, while women slightly kneel when they greet people older than them. Lastly, honorifics like Ẹ instead of the casual o are used when addressing someone respectfully.
What Does "Mo Dupe" Mean?
Mo dúpẹ́ (pronounced moh doo-peh) means "I am grateful" in the Yoruba language. It's the most heartfelt and personal way of saying thank you in Yoruba and is often associated with deeper or more emotional situations. You'll usually encounter this expression during speeches, in religious settings, or when someone is just really thankful for your kind gesture.
Why Do Nigerians Say Oya?
Oya is a versatile word in Yoruba-influenced speech and Nigerian Pidgin. You often hear this phrase when you're encouraging someone to take action. It's like saying "let's go," "come on," or "hurry up" in English. Though it isn't Yoruba traditionally, it has been widely used in Nigerian conversations, adding urgency, encouragement, or flavor to it depending on the context and tone used.
Gratitude Goes A Long Way In Yoruba
Saying thank you in Yoruba may feel simple compared to learning the expressions for Yoruba hello. However, these two words speak volumes.
Whether you use Ẹ ṣé to someone you just met on your market run or Mo dúpẹ́ with your best friend’s generosity, using any of these phrases will help you deeply appreciate the Nigerian way of life. Just keep practicing so you’ll feel more at ease participating in daily conversations.
Learning Yoruba Made Fun With Ling!
Ẹ ṣé is just the beginning of your long journey to learning the Yoruba language with Ling. You’ll never have to download another app just to learn everything that you need in real-life conversations.
With the Ling app‘s true-to-life, bite-sized lessons, you only need 10 to 15 minutes a day to learn a new Yoruba phrase or two. Plus, its speech recognition feature keeps you motivated to practice your motivation without shame. Don’t forget Dialog for practicing those Yoruba expressions like you’re chatting with a friend.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about losing your progress with the Streak Saver. You can go on with your busy life or take a much-needed rest, even just for a day, and go back to where you left!
So, if you’re raring to learn Yoruba excitingly, install Ling on your device today!
