Conversational Survival Kit
Essential Yoruba Phrases: 75+ Must-Know Expressions for Beginners
Whether you are preparing for your first trip to Lagos or Ibadan, attending a traditional Yoruba wedding ceremony, or practicing with family in the diaspora, these 75+ conversational phrases will give you instant confidence. Grouped by real-world situations with phonetic guides.
1. Self Introductions & Socializing
| English Phrase | Yoruba Translation | Phonetic Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is your name? | Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? | [kee nee oh-ROO-kaw reh] | Informal (peers) |
| What is your name? (Respectful) | Kí ni orúkọ yín? | [kee nee oh-ROO-kaw yeen] | To elders / in-laws |
| My name is [Name] | Orúkọ mi ni [Name] | [oh-ROO-kaw mee nee ...] | Universal pattern |
| Where are you from? | Ibo lo ti wá? | [ee-boh loh tee wah] | Origin question |
| I am from America / UK | Mo ti Amẹ́ríkà / Ilẹ̀ Gẹ̀ẹ́sì wá | [moh tee ah-meh-REE-kah wah] | Location |
| Nice to meet you | Inú mi dùn láti mọ̀ ọ́ | [ee-NOO mee doon LAH-tee maw aw] | Warm connection |
2. Market Bargaining & Purchasing
| English Phrase | Yoruba Translation | Phonetic Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | Èló ni èyí? | [eh-LOH nee eh-YEE] | Top shopping phrase |
| Please reduce the price | Ẹ dín owó ẹ̀ kù | [eh deen oh-WOH eh koo] | Polite negotiation |
| It is too expensive! | Ó wọ́n jù! | [oh WOHN joo] | Friendly bargaining |
| I want to buy this | Mo fẹ́ ra èyí | [moh feh rah eh-yee] | Direct statement |
| Give me change | Ẹ fún mi ní ṣẹ́ńjì | [eh foon mee nee change-ee] | Cash transaction |
3. Asking Directions & Transit
| English Phrase | Yoruba Translation | Phonetic Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the restroom / toilet? | Ibo ni ilé-ìwẹ̀ / balùwẹ̀ wà? | [ee-boh nee ee-leh-ee-WEH wah] |
| Please stop here (in a taxi/bus) | Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ẹ dá mi dúró síbí | [eh jaw-WOH eh dah mee DOO-roh see-BEE] |
| Turn right | Yà sí ọwọ́ ọ̀tún | [yah see aw-WOH aw-TOON] |
| Turn left | Yà sí ọwọ́ òsì | [yah see aw-WOH oh-SEE] |
| Go straight ahead | Tẹ̀síwájú tààrà | [teh-see-wah-JOO tah-ah-RAH] |
4. Asking for Help & Clarification
| English Phrase | Yoruba Translation | Phonetic Guide |
|---|---|---|
| I don't understand | Mi ò gbọ́ | [mee oh GBAW] |
| Please speak slowly | Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ẹ sọ̀rọ̀ jẹ́jẹ́ | [eh jaw-WOH, eh saw-RAW jeh-JEH] |
| Do you speak English? | Ṣé o gbọ́ èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì? | [shay oh gbaw eh-DAY geh-EH-see] |
| Help me! | Ẹ gbà mí! | [eh gbah MEE] |
| Please / Excuse me | Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ / Ẹ má bínú | [eh jaw-WOH / eh mah BEE-noo] |
Practice These Phrases with Live Interactive Roleplay
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Book a Tutoring ClassFrequently Asked Questions About Basic Yoruba Phrases
How do you ask 'How much is this?' when shopping in a Yoruba market?
'Èló ni èyí?' means 'How much is this?'. To ask for a discount politely, say 'Ẹ dín owó ẹ̀ kù' (Please reduce the price).
How do you say 'My name is...' in Yoruba?
'Orúkọ mi ni...' followed by your name (e.g. 'Orúkọ mi ni John'). To ask someone else's name respectfully, say 'Kí ni orúkọ yín?'.
How do you say 'I don't understand' or 'Please speak slowly' in Yoruba?
'Mi ò gbọ́' means 'I do not understand'. 'Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ẹ sọ̀rọ̀ jẹ́jẹ́' means 'Please, speak slowly/gently'.
How do you ask for directions to the bathroom or hotel?
'Ibo ni ilé-ìwẹ̀ wà?' (Where is the restroom / bathroom?) or 'Ibo ni hótẹ́ẹ̀lì wà?' (Where is the hotel?).