Yoruba is a Niger-Congo language spoken predominantly in southwestern Nigeria, parts of Benin, and Togo. It is rich in culture, with a deep connection to the Yoruba people’s traditions, arts, and religious beliefs. Learning Yoruba can enhance your understanding and appreciation of Yoruba culture and history. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Yoruba, designed to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Bawo” (Formal) / “Pẹlẹ o” (Informal)
• Good morning – “Ẹkáàrọ̀” (Eh-kah-ah-roh)
• Good afternoon – “Ẹkáàsán” (Eh-kah-ah-san)
• Good evening – “Ẹkúalẹ” (Eh-ku-ah-le)
• Goodbye – “O dabọ” (O dah-boh)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Orúkọ mi ni [name].” (Or-ru-koh mee nee [name])
• This is [name]. – “Eyi ni [name].” (Ey-ee nee [name])
• I am from [country]. – “Mo wá láti [country].” (Moh wah lah-tee [country])
• I live in [city/place]. – “Mo gbé ní [city/place].” (Moh gbeh nee [city/place])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Nibo ni [place] wa?” (Nee-boh nee [place] wah?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Bawo ni mo ṣe lè dé [place]?” (Bah-woh nee moh sheh leh deh [place]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Ṣe ona yi lọ si [place]?” (Sheh oh-nah yee loh see [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Ṣe o le fi han mi lori maapu?” (Sheh o leh fee hahn mee loh-ree mah-poo?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Ma binu, emi ko gbo.” (Mah bee-noo, eh-mee koh goh)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Ṣe o le tun sọ ọ?” (Sheh o leh toon soh oh?)
• I mean… – “Mo tumọ si…” (Moh too-moh see…)
• What does [word] mean? – “Kini [word] tumọ si?” (Kee-nee [word] too-moh see?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “À rírẹ láìpẹ” (Ah ree-reh lah-ee-peh)
• Take care – “Máa ṣe pẹlẹ” (Mah sheh peh-leh)
• Have a good day – “Kí ọjọ́ rẹ dára” (Kee oh-joh reh dah-rah)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Mo fẹ́ yá yara kan.” (Moh feh yah yah-rah kahn)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Ṣe mo lè wo àkójọ oríire?” (Sheh moh leh woh ah-koh-joh oh-ree-reh?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Emi jẹ́ ajẹ́gẹ́tá.” (Eh-mee jeh ah-jeh-geh-tah)
• The bill, please. – “Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ìwé ìsanwó.” (Eh joh-woh, ee-weh ee-sahn-woh)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Ẹlọ ni èyí jẹ?” (Eh-loh nee eh-yee jeh?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “Ṣé o ní èyí ní iwọn mìíràn?” (Sheh o nee eh-yee nee ee-wohn mee-rahn?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Mo kan n wo ni, o ṣeun.” (Moh kahn n woh nee, o she-un)
• Can I pay by card? – “Ṣé mo lè sanwó pẹ̀lú káàdì?” (Sheh moh leh sahn-woh peh-loo kah-ah-dee?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “O dára gan” (Oh dah-rah gahn) for both
• I miss you. – “Mo ṣòfò ọ.” (Moh shoh-foh oh)
• I love you. – “Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ.” (Moh nee-feh-eh reh)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Ṣé o fẹ́ jáde pẹ̀lú mi?” (Sheh o feh jah-deh peh-loo mee?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Ègbé mi!” (Eh-gbeh mee!)
• Call the police! – “Pe àwọn ọlọ́pàá!” (Peh ah-wohn oh-loh-pah-ah!)
• I need a doctor. – “Mo nílò dọ́kítà.” (Moh nee-loh doh-kee-tah)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Ibo ni ilé ìwòsàn tó sún mọ́ jùlọ?” (Ee-boh nee ee-leh ee-woh-sahn toh soon moh joo-loh?)

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Yoruba. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Yoruba media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Yoruba language.