If you visit the Yoruba-speaking southwestern states of Nigeria, you’ll need some basic phrases. Here are the 21 most important phrases you’ll need.
English is the most widely spoken language in Nigeria. However, three other major official languages are used throughout the country: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. The Yoruba people of Nigeria constitute approximately 21% of the population, making them a significant tribe and one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.
Greetings and essentials
Ẹ n lẹ (en-le): Hello
The Yoruba people place a high value on greetings in general; it is an important part of their culture, especially when addressing older people. The women greet on their knees, while the men lie flat on the ground facing down. In this part of Nigeria, Ẹ n lẹ means hello.
Bẹẹ ni/ra ra: Yes/no
If a Yoruba person should ask if you are a visiting tourist in Nigeria, for example, you can reply with either bẹẹ ni, which means ‘yes’, or ra ra, meaning ‘no’.
E se/o se: Thank you
The Yoruba people of northern and central Nigeria are well-known for their adherence to proper manners and etiquette. ‘Thank you’ in Yoruba will automatically earn you some brownie points. E se is used to refer to an older person, whereas o se is used to refer to friends and people your own age.
Directions
Nibo ni baluwẹ wa: Where is the bathroom?
Needing to use the restroom when no one around you understands your language is obviously aggravating. So if you find yourself surrounded by Yoruba-speaking people, then nibo ni baluwe wa? translates as ‘where is the bathroom?’.
Duro (du-ro): Stop
If you take a taxi, you must tell the driver where you want to be dropped off. The Yoruba phrase for “stop here” is duro nb.nbẹ.
Ya sowo otun (ya-so-wo-o-tun)/ya si apa osi (ya-see-apa-oh-see): Turn left/turn right
Are you lost in the city? Turning right is referred to as ya sowo otun, and turning left is referred to as ya si apa osi.
At the market
Numbers 0-10
Knowing the numbers in a Nigerian language will come across as necessary when purchasing from local traders.
One: ikan; two: meji; three: meta; four: merin; five: marun; six: mefa; seven: meje; eight: mejo; nine: mesan; 10: mewa are the Yoruba numbers from one to 10.
Eelo ni eleyi?: How much is this?
Nigerian markets can be challenging for visitors. Using Yoruba words while bargaining will definitely give you an advantage and allow you to connect with local sellers. Do you need to know how much something costs? Eelo ni eleyi, please.
Gb’owo l’ori (Bo-wo-lo-ri): Too expensive
Perhaps the price of the item you want to purchase is significantly higher than your budget. Gb’owo l’ori is the Yoruba way of expressing dissatisfaction with the prices. O won is more commonly used nowadays.
At the restaurant/bar
O dun: Delicious
The Yoruba people are known for their spicy and delicious cuisine. Perhaps you’ll eat one of their delectable meals and then feel compelled to express your gratitude to the chef or your host. O dun simply means ‘sweet’ or ‘delicious’.
Ebi n pa mi (a-bi-pa-me): I’m hungry
Food is life, and knowing how to ask for it is essential in northern and central Nigeria. ‘I’m hungry,’ Ebi n pa mi means.
Omi (Oh-me): Water
Because of the hot weather in Nigeria, omi is an important word to know. Water is referred to as Omi in Yoruba.
Making friends
Ję ka mu nkan: Let’s get a drink
After a long day of making new friends, grabbing a drink with them is the logical next step. Let’s get a drink,’ says Ję ka mu nkan.
lẹwa/arewa Okurun: Beautiful/handsome
Nigerians are friendly and frequently mix compliments into the conversation. Knowing some compliments may provide you with the opportunity to form new and long-lasting friendships.
For everything else
Aro re so mi: I miss you
Everyone enjoys being missed, and saying ‘I miss you’ in Yoruba could make it even more special for the recipient.
Orukọ mi ni…: My name is…
It is quite simple to introduce yourself in Yoruba. For instance, orukọ mi ni Precious means ‘my name is Precious’.
Bawo ni?: How are you?
To inquire about your well-being, the Yoruba say bawo ni? It’ll be a nice gesture to ask your new friends how they’re doing.
Emi yoo ri ọ ni ọla: See you tomorrow
Do you intend to stay for more than a day? ‘See you tomorrow,’ says Emi yoo ri ọ ni ọla
Pe awọn ọlọpaa: Call the police
In an emergency,pe awọn ọlọpaa means ‘call the police’ in Yoruba.
Kosi wahala (Ko-see-wa-ha-la): No problem
In the same way that hakuna matata means “no worries” in Swahili, kosi wahala means “no problem” in Yoruba.
E jọwọ: Excuse me
In Yoruba, E jọwọ means ‘excuse me’ when you need to get someone’s attention.
