Nibo, Eélòó ni?, Fun mi leleyi, Sare, Oto, and Ejo are some common Yoruba phrases you will hear when you visit Lagos or other western states in Nigeria.
People often say them at almost every corner of Lagos, especially when you want to board a commercial bus (Danfo), visit markets, or be on the road. It is widely believed that the Yorubas are one of the tribes in Nigeria that place substantial importance on greetings.
As Lagosians and Nigerians will say, Yorubas have greetings for everything, even for what you will least expect, like Eku ijoko (Greetings as you are seated), Eku Faaji (Greetings to a person enjoying), and many more.
Most importantly, as a sign of respect to the elderly, the females kneel to greet them while the males lay flat on the ground facing the floor.
This article will help you know and understand common and useful Yoruba phrases you will need if you visit Lagos or other western states in Nigeria.
Please note that the first word under pronunciation is the British English transcription for foreigners who would love to learn the Yoruba language, while the words in brackets are for locals (Nigerians). As Nigerians, we can pronounce the words in brackets with our normal accent.
Greetings
| Yoruba Phrases | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Ẹ n lẹ | En-lɪ (ehn leh) | Hello |
| Ẹ káárọ | E-ka:-rɒ (eh kah-ROH) | Good morning |
| E káàsán | E-ka:h–sɒhn (eh Kah-SAHN) | Good afternoon |
| Ẹ káalẹ́ | E-ka:-le (eh KAH -leh) | Good evening |
| E káàbọ̀ | E kɑːˈbɒ | Welcome |
| Ẹ ṣé | e ʃɪ (e-Sheh) | Thank you |
| Ẹ ṣé gan | e- ʃɪ-ɡɒn (eh Shay gahn) | Thank you very much (to show immense gratitude). |
| kò tọ́pẹ́ | kəʊ- tɒh- peh (koh Toh-peh) | It’s nothing. Don’t mention. (Used to say you are welcome when someone thanks you) |
| Báwo ni? | bɑː-wəʊ-ni: (BAH-woh nee) | How are you? |
| Ẹ pẹlẹ | E-pe-le (eh peh-LEH) | Sorry |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni | Be ni: | Yes |
| Bóyá | Bəʊ ya:h | Maybe |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ kọ́
Rárá |
Be kɒ
Ra: Ra: |
No |
| Mowa dada, Ese | Məʊwa: da:da:, E ʃɪ | I’m fine, thank you! |
| Iwo nko | I:wɒ ŋkɒ | And you? |
| Oda | Oda: | Good |
| Wole wa | Wɒlɪ wa: | Come in! (or: enter!) |
| Od’aro | Oda:rɒ | Good night |
| Ó dàbọ̀ | Oda:bɒ | Good bye |
Getting Familiar with People/ Directions
| Yoruba Phrases | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Ibo l’ongbe/ Nibo ni o ngbe | iːbəʊ ləʊnˈbɪ/ ni:bəʊ ni: əʊn ɡbɪ
(EE-boh lon-beh/ NEE-boh nee ohn GBEH) |
Where do you live? |
| Kíni orúkọ rẹ | ˈkiːni: əʊˈruːkɔː re
(KEE-nee oh-ROO-koh reh) |
What is your name? |
| Orúkọ mi ni ____ | My name is _____. | |
| Mò ń bọ̀ | Məʊ n bɒ | I am coming |
| mo n lọ | məʊ n lɒ(mohn law) | I am going/I am leaving |
| Mo ń lọ sí ilé | məʊ n lɒ siː i: lɪ
(moh n law see ee-LAY) |
I am going to my house. |
| Nibo ni… | niːbəʊ ni: (NEE-boh nee) | Where is… |
| Dúró | Duːrəʊ (DOO-roh) | Stop |
| Inú mi dùn láti pàda ẹ | I:nu: mi: du:n la:ti: pa:da: e | I’m happy to meet you. |
| Ṣé o lè sọ̀rọ̀ díẹ̀ díẹ̀? | ʃɪ o lɪ sɒrɒ dɪə dɪə | Can you speak slower? |
| Ṣé ó yé ẹ?
Ṣé ó yé yín? |
ʃɪ o yɪ e
ʃɪ o yɪ yi:n |
Do you understand? |
| Ó yé mi | O yɪ mi: | I understand |
| kò yé mi | Kəʊ yɪ mi: | I don’t understand |
| Mo mọ̀ | Məʊ mɒ | I know |
| Mi ò mọ̀ | Mi: o mɒ | I don’t know |
| Ṣé o máa ń sọ èdè ____
Faransé? Gẹ̀ẹ́sì? Igbo? Twi? |
ʃɪ o ma: ŋ sɒ ɪdɪ_____ | Do you speak____?
French? English? Igbo? Twi? |
| Jẹ́ ká lọ | dʒ ka: lɒ | Let’s go |
| ẹ jẹ́ ká lọ | E dʒ ka: lɒ | Let’s go (Older/Plural) |
| Mo ni lati lọ | Məʊ ni: la:ti: lɒ | I have to go |
| Eélòó? | ɪ ləʊ | How much? |
| Eélòó ni oúnjẹ yìí? | ɪ ləʊ ni: əʊŋdʒ yi: | How much is this food? |
| Màá rí ẹ ní ọ̀la | Ma: ri: e ni: ɒla: | See you tomorrow. |
| Ó ti rẹ̀ mí | O ti: re mi: | I’m tired |