Yoruba Family Members: Kinship Terms & Relations Guide
Yoruba society places monumental importance on family lineage (Ẹbí) and generational respect. Unlike English, where siblings are designated by biological gender (brother vs sister), Yoruba kinship is organized primarily by age seniority (elder vs younger). Learn how to address immediate and extended family members with confidence.
Seniority vs Gender in Yoruba Kinship
In English, you say "my brother" or "my sister". In Yoruba, the core distinction is whether they were born before you or after you:
• Ẹ̀gbọ́n: Any older sibling or elder cousin (male or female). Addressing an older sibling by their first name without prefixing Ẹ̀gbọ́n or Brother/Sister is considered disrespectful in traditional households.
• Àbúrò: Any younger sibling or younger relative (male or female).
If gender must be specified, you add Ọkùnrin (male) or Obìnrin (female).
1. Immediate Family Members
| Relation | Yoruba Term | Phonetic Guide | Respectful Term of Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother | Ìyá | [ee-YAH] | Mọ̀mí / Ìyá mi |
| Father | Bàbá | [bah-BAH] | Bàbá mi / Dàdí |
| Elder Sibling | Ẹ̀gbọ́n | [ehg-BAWN] | Ẹ̀gbọ́n mi |
| Younger Sibling | Àbúrò | [ah-boo-ROH] | Àbúrò mi |
| Husband | Ọkọ | [aw-KAW] | Ọkọ mi / Bàbá ọmọ mi |
| Wife | Aya / Ìyàwó | [ah-yah / ee-yah-WOH] | Ìyàwó mi |
| Child | Ọmọ | [aw-MAW] | Ọmọ mi |
| Son (Male child) | Ọmọkùnrin | [aw-maw-koon-REEN] | Ọmọ mi ọkùnrin |
| Daughter (Female child) | Ọmọbìnrin | [aw-maw-been-REEN] | Ọmọ mi obìnrin |
2. Extended Family & In-Laws (Àna)
| Relation | Yoruba Term | Phonetic Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | Ìyá àgbà / Màmá àgbà | [ee-yah ahg-BAH] | Revered matriarch |
| Grandfather | Bàbá àgbà | [bah-bah ahg-BAH] | Revered patriarch |
| Paternal Uncle (Elder) | Ẹ̀gbọ́n bàbá | [ehg-bawn bah-bah] | Elder brother to father |
| Paternal Uncle (Younger) | Bàbá kékeré / Àbúrò bàbá | [bah-bah keh-keh-REH] | Younger brother to father |
| Maternal Aunt | Ìyá kékeré / Ẹ̀gbọ́n ìyá | [ee-yah keh-keh-REH] | Sister to mother |
| In-law (General) | Àna | [ah-NAH] | Highly respected status |
| Mother-in-law | Ìyá àna | [ee-yah ah-NAH] | Always use 'Ẹ' honorific |
| Father-in-law | Bàbá àna | [bah-bah ah-NAH] | Always use 'Ẹ' honorific |
Connect More Deeply with Your Family & In-Laws
Prepare for family visits, reunions, and weddings. Our tutors teach you natural conversation and cultural protocols.
Schedule a Family Prep Class