Yorùbá: everyday phrases, with the tone marks right

Ẹ kú àárọ̀

Good morning (respectful)

To an elder or more than one person. Said together as Ẹ káàárọ̀. The reply is the same greeting.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ káàárọ̀

Good morning (respectful, as spoken)

The contracted form of Ẹ kú àárọ̀ you will hear most.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Káàárọ̀

Good morning (to a friend or someone younger)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ọ̀sán

Good afternoon (respectful)

From noon to about 5 pm. Spoken as Ẹ káàsán.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Káàsán

Good afternoon (to a friend)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ìrọ̀lẹ́

Good early evening (respectful)

From about 5 to 7 pm. Spoken as Ẹ kúùrọ̀lẹ́.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú alẹ́

Good evening (respectful)

From about 7 pm to midnight. Spoken as Ẹ káalẹ́.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Káalẹ́

Good evening (to a friend)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ó dàárọ̀

Good night

Literally 'until morning'. Yorùbá has no greeting for the middle of the night (òru).

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ó dàbọ̀

Goodbye

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú iṣẹ́

Well done (to someone working)

Literally 'greetings on your work'. Spoken as Ẹ kúuṣẹ́.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ìjókòó

Greetings (to someone seated)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ìsinmi

Greetings on your rest

Said to someone resting, and on Sundays.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú òtútù

Greetings in this cold weather

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú òjò

Greetings in this rainy season

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ọyẹ́

Greetings in this harmattan

Ọyẹ́ is the dry, dusty harmattan season.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ooru

Greetings in this heat

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ilé

Greetings to the household

Said on arriving at someone's home; spoken as Ẹ kúulé.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ káàbọ̀

Welcome (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Káàbọ̀

Welcome (to a friend or child)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú àbọ̀

Welcome back

To someone returning from a journey.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Báwo ni?

How are you? / How are things?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ṣé àlàáfíà ni?

Are you well?

Literally 'is it peace?'.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Àlàáfíà ni

I'm fine (reply)

Literally 'it is peace'.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ṣé dáadáa ni?

Is all well?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Dáadáa ni

I'm fine, all is well (reply)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ṣé ǹkan ń lọ?

Are things going well?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ṣé o sùn dáadáa?

Did you sleep well? (to a friend or child)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ṣé ẹ sùn dáadáa?

Did you sleep well? (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo sùn dáadáa

Yes, I slept well

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ilé ńkọ́?

How is everyone at home?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Wọ́n wà

They are fine (reply)

Literally 'they are there'.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ìwọ náà ńkọ́?

And you?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Mo kàn sáré wá kí ẹ ni

I just dropped by to say hello

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ o

Hello / sorry (respectful)

Pẹ̀lẹ́ is a gentle greeting and also an expression of sympathy when someone is hurt or tired.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pẹ̀lẹ́ o

Hello / sorry (to a friend)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ó dọ̀la

See you tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ ṣé

Thank you (respectful)

To an elder or more than one person. Often typed without marks as 'E se'; the honorific is ẹ with a dot.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

O ṣé

Thank you (to a friend or someone younger)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ ṣé gan-an

Thank you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

A dúpẹ́

Thank you, we are grateful

Also the usual reply to 'how are you?', meaning 'we give thanks, all is well'.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Mo dúpẹ́

I am grateful

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ jọ̀wọ́

Please (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Jọ̀wọ́

Please (to a friend)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ má bínú

I'm sorry (respectful)

Literally 'don't be angry'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Má bínú

Sorry (to a friend)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kò burú

It's not bad / no problem

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kò sí wàhálà

No problem

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?

What is your name?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Orúkọ mi ni Fẹ́mi

My name is Fẹ́mi

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Inú mi dùn láti mọ̀ ọ́

I'm pleased to meet you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Níbo lo ti wá?

Where are you from?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo wá láti Èkó

I come from Lagos

Source: common usage, needs native check

Níbo lò ń gbé?

Where do you live?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo ń gbé ní Ìbàdàn

I live in Ìbàdàn

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọmọ ọdún mélòó ni ọ́?

How old are you?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Olùkọ́ ni mí

I am a teacher

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ ni mí

I am a student

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ṣé ó yé ẹ?

Do you understand?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ó yé mi

Yes, I understand

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Kò yé mi

I don't understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ tún un sọ

Please say it again (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Báwo ni a ṣe ń sọ ... ní Yorùbá?

How do you say ... in Yorùbá?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Kí ni ìtumọ̀ ...?

What is the meaning of ...?

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Mo ní ìbéèrè

I have a question

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ẹ rọra sọ̀rọ̀

Please speak slowly

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni

Yes

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Rárá

No

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ó dáa

Okay, that's fine

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Kí ni èyí?

What is this?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kí ló ṣẹlẹ̀?

What happened?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Wá síbí

Come here

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dúró

Wait / stop

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ jókòó

Please sit down (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Dìde

Stand up

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ó rẹ̀ mí díẹ̀

I'm a little tired

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Mi ò mọ̀

I don't know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo mọ̀

I know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ó yá

Let's go / it's time

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kò sí nǹkan

It's nothing, don't worry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ fetí sílẹ̀

Listen (respectful)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ dákẹ́ ariwo

Please be quiet

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Mò ń lọ

I am going / I'm leaving

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Níbo lò ń lọ?

Where are you going?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ lọ sí Èkó

I want to go to Lagos

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ̀ló ni ọkọ̀ dé Ìbàdàn?

How much is the fare to Ìbàdàn?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọkọ̀ wo ló ń lọ sí Ọ̀yọ́?

Which vehicle goes to Ọ̀yọ́?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ dúró níbí

Stop here, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Níbo ni ilé ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀ wà?

Where is the toilet?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo ti sọnù

I am lost

Source: common usage, needs native check

Níbo ni ọjà wà?

Where is the market?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yà sí ọ̀tún

Turn right

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yà sí òsì

Turn left

Source: common usage, needs native check

Máa lọ tààrà

Go straight on

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ṣé ó jìnnà?

Is it far?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kò jìnnà

It isn't far

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ó wà nítòsí

It's nearby

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ fi ọ̀nà hàn mí

Please show me the way

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ̀ló ni?

How much is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ̀ló ni èyí?

How much is this one?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ó wọ́n jù

It's too expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ dín in kù

Please lower the price

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ ra èyí

I'd like to buy this

Source: UW-Madison LCTL Resources: Yoruba Language Learning Activity, Shopping

Mo kàn ń wò ni

I'm just looking

Source: UW-Madison LCTL Resources: Yoruba Language Learning Activity, Shopping

Ṣé mo lè wọ̀ ọ́ wò?

May I try it on?

Source: UW-Madison LCTL Resources: Yoruba Language Learning Activity, Shopping

N kò fẹ́ ìyẹn

I don't want that one

N kò + verb is the plain way to say 'I don't ...'.

Source: UW-Madison LCTL Resources: Yoruba Language Learning Activity, Shopping

Ṣé gbogbo rẹ̀ ni?

Is that everything?

Source: UW-Madison LCTL Resources: Yoruba Language Learning Activity, Shopping

Mo ń lọ sí ọjà

I'm going to the market

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ebi ń pa mí

I'm hungry

Literally 'hunger is killing me'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Òùngbẹ ń gbẹ mí

I'm thirsty

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ jẹun

I want to eat

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ jẹ́ ká jẹun

Let's eat

Source: common usage, needs native check

Oúnjẹ yìí dùn

This food is delicious

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ ìrẹsì àti ọbẹ̀

I'd like rice and stew

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ mu omi

I'd like to drink water

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo yó

I'm full

Source: common usage, needs native check

N kò jẹ ẹran

I don't eat meat

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ata pọ̀ jù

There's too much pepper

Source: common usage, needs native check

ọ̀kan

one

Source: common usage, needs native check

méjì

two

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

mẹ́ta

three

Source: common usage, needs native check

mẹ́rin

four

Source: common usage, needs native check

márùn-ún

five

Source: common usage, needs native check

mẹ́fà

six

Source: common usage, needs native check

méje

seven

Source: common usage, needs native check

mẹ́jọ

eight

Source: common usage, needs native check

mẹ́sàn-án

nine

Source: common usage, needs native check

mẹ́wàá

ten

Source: common usage, needs native check

ogún

twenty

Source: common usage, needs native check

ọgọ́rùn-ún

one hundred

Source: common usage, needs native check

Aago mélòó ló lù?

What time is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Aago mẹ́ta ti lù

It is three o'clock

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nísinsìnyí

Now

Source: common usage, needs native check

Òní

Today

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọ̀la

Tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

Àná

Yesterday

Source: common usage, needs native check

àárọ̀

morning (midnight to noon)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

ọ̀sán

afternoon (noon to about 5 pm)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

ìrọ̀lẹ́

early evening (about 5 to 7 pm)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

alẹ́

night (about 7 pm to midnight)

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

òru

the middle of the night

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Kí ni ọjọ́ òní?

What day is today?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́ Ajé

Monday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun

Tuesday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́rú

Wednesday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́bọ̀

Thursday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́ Ẹtì

Friday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta

Saturday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọjọ́ Àìkú

Sunday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bàbá mi nìyí

This is my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ìyá mi nìyí

This is my mother

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ìyàwó mi nìyí

This is my wife

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọkọ mi nìyí

This is my husband

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo ní ọmọ mẹ́ta

I have three children

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bá mi kí àwọn òbí rẹ

Greet your parents for me

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Bàbá Tádé

Tádé's father

Wives traditionally call their husband by a child's name, and he calls her Màmá Tádé.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ̀gbọ́n mi

My older brother or sister

Yorùbá marks age, not sex, for siblings.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Àbúrò mi

My younger brother or sister

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ

I love you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ràn rẹ

I like you / I love you

Source: common usage, needs native check

O rẹwà

You are beautiful

Source: common usage, needs native check

Àárò rẹ ń sọ mí

I miss you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ìfẹ́ mi

My love

Source: common usage, needs native check

Iṣẹ́ wo lò ń ṣe?

What work do you do?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo ń ṣiṣẹ́ ní ilé ìwòsàn

I work at a hospital

Source: common usage, needs native check

Iṣẹ́ loògùn ìṣẹ́

Work is the cure for poverty

A well-known saying.

Source: Oyekan Owomoyela, Yoruba Proverb Treasury excerpts, University of Nebraska–Linco

Ẹ ṣí ìwé yín

Open your books

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ pa ìwé yín dé

Close your books

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ nawọ́ sókè

Raise your hand

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ara mi kò yá

I'm not well

Source: common usage, needs native check

Orí ń fọ́ mi

I have a headache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Inú ń run mí

I have a stomach ache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ibà ń ṣe mí

I have a fever

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mo fẹ́ rí dókítà

I want to see a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Níbo ni ilé ìwòsàn wà?

Where is the hospital?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ara á yá o

Get well soon

Literally 'the body will be well'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ gbà mí o!

Help!

Literally 'save me!'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Olè!

Thief!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Iná ń jó!

Fire!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ pe ọlọ́pàá

Call the police

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ pe dókítà

Call a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ fi mí sílẹ̀!

Leave me alone!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ọ̀fọ̀

My condolences

Literally 'greetings on your loss'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ìrọ́jú

Well done for bearing up

Said to the bereaved.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú àṣẹ̀hìndè

Condolences on the passing of your elder

Said to the family when an elderly person has died.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọlọ́run yóò tù yín nínú

May God comfort you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kí ọkàn rẹ̀ sinmi ní àlàáfíà

May his or her soul rest in peace

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọlọ́run á bùkún fún ọ

God bless you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Àmín

Amen

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ jẹ́ ká gbàdúrà

Let us pray

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ọlọ́run ló ṣe é

It is God who did it

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ọjọ́ ìsinmi

Happy Sunday

Literally 'greetings on the day of rest'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ọdún

Season's greetings

For any festival: New Year, Christmas, Eid, a birthday or anniversary.

Source: Yorùbá Yé Mi, beginner's textbook by Fẹ́hìntọ̀lá Mosadomi

Ẹ kú ọdún tuntun

Happy New Year

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ọdún Kérésìmesì

Merry Christmas

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ọjọ́ ìbí

Happy birthday (respectful)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú oríire

Congratulations

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú àṣeyọrí

Congratulations on your success

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ìnáwó

Well done on your celebration

Said to hosts who have spent on a party.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ẹ kú ewu ọmọ

Congratulations on your safe delivery

Said to a new mother.

Source: common usage, needs native check