Adjectives

1. Ńlá

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

   Grammar Note

   Most Yoruba adjectives double as verbs; in a sentence they take a subject pronoun, as in "ó ńlá" (it is big).

2. Kékeré

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Wúwo

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Fúyẹ́

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Wọ́n

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Din

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Gbóná

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Gbóná" is a hot object; hot weather is expressed as "oòrùn gbóná" (the sun is hot).

8. Tutù

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

   Grammar Note

   "Tutù" is a cold object; cold weather is "òtútù mú" (the cold bites).

9. Tuntun

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Àtijọ́

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Àtijọ́" is for objects only; for a person use "àgbà," which honours their age.

11. Ọ̀dọ́

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Àgbà

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Àgbà" honours an older person and can be used as a form of address.

13. Mọ́

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water, and for a beautiful view

14. Dọ̀tí

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Dáa

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Burú

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Sún mọ́

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Jìnnà

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Kùtùkùtù

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Kùtùkùtù" is early in time; fast in speed is "yára."

20. Pẹ́

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Pẹ́" is being late; slow in speed is "jẹ́ẹ́jẹ́."

21. Pọ̀

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Kéré

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Oòrùn gbóná

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Òtútù mú

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Ẹlẹ́wà

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals

26. Dídùn

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

27. Ìyanu!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

28. Díẹ̀ péré

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for only a small amount

29. Ìdajì

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half the amount

30. Gbogbo rẹ̀

    All of it

    Usage

    Indicate that you mean the whole thing

31. Ó tó

    That is enough

    Usage

    Tell someone to stop pouring or serving

32. Ó ní ata

    It is spicy

    Usage

    Check or say that a dish is hot; literally "it has chilli"

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