Daily Life & Calendar Guide
Days of the Week & Months in Yoruba: Meanings & Pronunciation
In the ancient Yoruba calendar, each day carried profound spiritual and cosmological resonance, honoring commerce, longevity, victory, and balance. Here is your comprehensive reference guide to the 7 days of the week, the 12 calendar months, and conversational time-telling expressions.
1. The 7 Days of the Week (Àwọn Ọjọ́ Ọ̀sẹ̀)
| Day of Week | Yoruba Name | Phonetic Guide | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Ọjọ́ Ajé | [aw-jaw ah-JAY] | Day of Wealth & Commerce (Dedicated to Ajé) |
| Tuesday | Ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun | [aw-jaw ee-SHEH-goon] | Day of Victory & Overcoming Obstacles |
| Wednesday | Ọjọ́ Rú | [aw-jaw ROO] | Day of Confusion resolved / Spiritual balance |
| Thursday | Ọjọ́ Bọ̀ | [aw-jaw BAW] | Day of Creation & Divine Arrival |
| Friday | Ọjọ́ Ẹtì | [aw-jaw eh-TEE] | Day of Overcoming Tribulation / Weekend eve |
| Saturday | Ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta | [aw-jaw ah-bah-MEH-tah] | Day of the Three Resolutions / Gatherings |
| Sunday | Ọjọ́ Àìkú | [aw-jaw ah-ee-KOO] | Day of Immortality, Rest & Longevity |
2. The 12 Months of the Year (Àwọn Oṣù Ọdún)
| Month | Yoruba Name | Phonetic Guide | Agricultural / Climate Association |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Oṣù Ṣẹ́rẹ́ | [oh-shoo SHEH-reh] | Harmattan season and clearing farmland |
| February | Oṣù Èrèlé | [oh-shoo eh-reh-LEH] | Early soil preparation |
| March | Oṣù Ẹrẹ̀nà | [oh-shoo eh-reh-NAH] | Arrival of early rains and planting |
| April | Oṣù Igbe | [oh-shoo eeg-BEH] | Sprouting of crops |
| May | Oṣù Èbìbí | [oh-shoo eh-bee-BEE] | Abundant rain and cultivation |
| June | Oṣù Òkúdu | [oh-shoo oh-KOO-doo] | Mid-year rain showers |
| July | Oṣù Agẹmọ | [oh-shoo ah-geh-MAW] | Agemo cultural festivals and celebration |
| August | Oṣù Ògún | [oh-shoo oh-GOON] | New yam harvest and festivals of Ogun |
| September | Oṣù Owéwe | [oh-shoo oh-weh-WEH] | Bountiful harvest season |
| October | Oṣù Ọ̀wàrà | [oh-shoo aw-wah-RAH] | Torrential late rains before dry season |
| November | Oṣù Bélú | [oh-shoo beh-LOO] | Early harmattan breezes |
| December | Oṣù Ọ̀pẹ | [oh-shoo aw-PEH] | Season of Thanksgiving and joy |
3. Telling Time in Yoruba (Kíka Àkókò)
| English Expression | Yoruba Phrase | Phonetic Guide |
|---|---|---|
| What time is it? | Ago mélòó lù? | [ah-goh meh-LOH loo] |
| It is 1 o'clock | Ago kan lù | [ah-goh kahn loo] |
| It is 2 o'clock | Ago méjì lù | [ah-goh MAY-jee loo] |
| It is 12 o'clock (Noon) | Ago méjìlá ọ̀sán | [ah-goh may-jee-lah aw-SAHN] |
| Morning | Àárọ̀ | [ah-ah-RAW] |
| Afternoon | Ọ̀sán | [aw-SAHN] |
| Night | Alẹ́ | [ah-LEH] |
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Book a Private LessonFrequently Asked Questions About Days & Months in Yoruba
What are the 7 days of the week in Yoruba?
Sunday: Ọjọ́ Àìkú, Monday: Ọjọ́ Ajé, Tuesday: Ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun, Wednesday: Ọjọ́ Rú, Thursday: Ọjọ́ Bọ̀, Friday: Ọjọ́ Ẹtì, Saturday: Ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta.
What do the names of the days mean culturally?
'Ọjọ́ Ajé' (Monday) is dedicated to commerce, prosperity, and wealth (Ajé). 'Ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun' (Tuesday) represents victory and overcoming obstacles. 'Ọjọ́ Àìkú' (Sunday) means the day of immortality and longevity.
How do you ask 'What time is it?' in Yoruba?
'Ago mélòó lù?' or 'Àkókò wo ni?' means 'What time is it?'. To reply 'It is 2 o'clock', say 'Ago méjì lù'.