Introduce yourself, ask the way or a price, ask someone to repeat: 16 phrases in Yoruba checked against reference sources (standard Nigerian Yoruba, with tones).
1
Travelling
Níbo ni ò ń gbé?Where do you live?
Ní ẹ̀gbẹ́ ọjà ni mò ń gbéI live near the market
Ó súnmọ́It's near
jínnà sífar from
ilé ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀toilet
Ṣé ó yé ẹ?Do you understand?
Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ó yé miYes, I understand
Mo ní ìbéèrèI have a question
Ẹ túnun sọPlease repeat
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́Please
2
Everyday phrases
Kí ni orúkọọ̀ rẹ?What is your name?
Ọmọ ọdún mélòó ni ẹ́?How old are you?
Ó rẹ̀ mí díẹ̀I am a little tired
Ṣé wà á jókòó?Would you like to sit down?
Ó dáraThat's fine / good
Kí ni?What?
Test yourself
1. What does “Ní ẹ̀gbẹ́ ọjà ni mò ń gbé” mean?
2. What does “Ṣé ó yé ẹ?” mean?
3. What does “Ẹ jọ̀wọ́” mean?
4. What does “Ṣé wà á jókòó?” mean?
Where do these words come from?
The words in this article come from: Yorùbá Yé Mi textbook (COERLL, University of Texas at Austin). They are copied with their exact spelling; when two sources disagree, the variant is shown. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.
The words in this article come from: Yorùbá Yé Mi textbook (COERLL, University of Texas at Austin). They are copied with their exact spelling; when two sources disagree, the variant is shown. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.