If you pay a visit to the Yoruba-speaking south-western states of Nigeria, you’ll require some basic expressions to get by. Here’s our pick of the 20 most basic expressions you’ll require.
English is the common language used in Nigeria. However, there are three other major official languages used across the country, namely: Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. The Yoruba people of Nigeria account for about 21 per cent of the population – making them a major tribe and one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.
A Yoruba bride | © Fhadekhemmy / WikiCommons
Greetings and essentials
Ẹ n lẹ (en-le): Hello
The tradition of the Yoruba people places much emphasis on greetings generally – it’s a very significant part of their culture, especially when addressing older people. The women kneel down to greet, while the men lay flat on the ground facing downwards. ‘Ẹ n lẹ’ means hello in this part of Nigeria.
E se/O se: Thank you
The Yoruba people of north-western and central Nigeria are known for being firm believers in upholding manners and etiquette. ‘Thank you’ in the Yoruba dialect will automatically earn you some good points. ‘E se’ is used when referring to an older person, while ‘o se‘ can be used with friends and people the same age as you.
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’.
A Yoruba man and some boys pose during a game | © Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen / WikiCommons
Directions
Nibo ni baluwẹ wa: Where is the bathroom?
Needing the bathroom when nobody around understands your language is obviously frustrating. So if you find yourself surrounded by Yoruba-speaking people, then ‘nibo ni baluwe wa?’ translates as ‘where is the bathroom?’.
Ya sowo otun (ya-so-wo-o-tun) / ya si apa osi (ya-see-apa-oh-see): Turn left/turn right
Lost in the city? ‘Ya sowo otun‘ means ‘turn left’ and ‘ya si apa osi‘ means ‘turn right’.
Duro (du-ro): Stop
If you’re travelling in a taxi you’ll need to tell the driver where to drop you off. The Yoruba phrase for ‘stop here’ is ‘duro nbẹ’.
The amazing Natural History Museum in Osun State | © T. Obi / WikiCommons
At the restaurant/bar
Ti nhu: Delicious
The Yoruba people are known to make very spicy and delicious food. Perhaps you’ll eat one of their sumptuous meals and then feel the need to express your satisfaction to the cook or your host. ‘Ti nhu’ simply means ‘delicious’.
Ebi n pa mi (a-bi-pa-me): I’m hungry
Food is life and knowing how to ask for food in north-western and central Nigeria is essential. ‘Ebi n pa mi‘ translates to ‘I’m hungry’.
Omi (Oh-me): Water
The hot weather in Nigeria makes ‘omi’ an important word to know. ‘Omi’ in the Yoruba language means water.
At the market
Eelo ni eleyi?: How much is this?
Nigerian markets can be tricky for visitors. Throwing in some Yoruba words while bargaining will definitely give you an edge and establish a connection with local sellers. Want to know how much something costs? Ask ‘eelo ni eleyi?’
Gbowolori (Bo-wo-lo-ri): Too expensive
Perhaps the price of the item you want to buy is way over your budget. ‘Gbowolori‘ is the Yoruba way to express your displeasure with the prices.
Numbers 0–10
You’ll find that knowing the numbers in a Nigerian language will come off as necessary in buying 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.
Statues in Oshun Grove | © Muyiwa Osifuye / WikiCommons
Making friends
lẹwa/arewa Okurun: Beautiful/handsome
The Nigerian people are friendly and commonly mix compliments into conversation. Knowing some compliments could present you with an opportunity to make new and lasting friendships.
For everything else
Aro re so mi: I miss you
Everyone loves to be missed, saying ‘I miss you’ in the Yoruba language could make it even more special for the receiving party.
Bawo ni?: How are you?
The Yoruba people say ‘bawo ni‘ to ask about your wellbeing. It’ll make for a nice gesture to ask your new friends how they are.
Pe awọn ọlọpaa: Call the police
In case of an emergency, ‘pe awọn ọlọpaa‘ in Yoruba means ‘call the police’.
Kosi wahala (Ko-see-wa-ha-la): No problem
Just like ‘hakuna matata’ means no worries in Swahili, ‘kosi wahala’ means ‘no problem’ to the Yoruba people.
E jọwọ: Excuse me
‘E jọwọ’ means ‘excuse me’ in the Yoruba language when you need to get someone’s attention.
Emi yoo ri ọ ni ọla: See you tomorrow
Planning on hanging out a little longer than a day? ‘Emi yoo ri ọ ni ọla’ means ‘see you tomorrow’.
Orukọ mi ni…: My name is…
Introducing yourself in the Yoruba language is pretty simple. For instance, ‘orukọ mi ni Julius’ means ‘my name is Julius’.
