Body Parts

1. Orí

   Head

   Usage

   Show this at a clinic and point at your head — "orí mi ń jẹ mí" is a headache

2. Irun orí

   Hair

   Usage

   Literally "head hair" — "irun" alone covers body hair too

3. Ojú

   Eye / face

   Usage

   Yoruba uses one word for eye and face — the eyeball itself is "eyinjú". Point to show which

4. Etí

   Ear

   Usage

   For earache or trouble hearing

5. Imú

   Nose

   Usage

   Noses dry out in the harmattan — for a blocked nose

6. Ẹnu

   Mouth

   Usage

   Used at a dentist or pharmacy

7. Ètè

   Lip

   Usage

   Lips crack in the dry season — useful when asking for lip balm

8. Eyín

   Tooth

   Usage

   Point at the aching tooth while showing this

9. Ahọ́n

   Tongue

   Usage

   For when a doctor asks to see it — ọ with the dot is a different vowel from o

10. Ọrùn

    Neck

    Usage

    The outside of the neck — for pain on swallowing use "ọ̀fun"

11. Ọ̀fun

    Throat

    Usage

    Yoruba separates throat from neck — use this for pain when swallowing

12. Èjìká

    Shoulder

    Usage

    For shoulder pain after carrying a load

13. Apá

    Arm

    Usage

    The arm — the hand itself is "ọwọ́"

14. Ìgbọ̀nwọ́

    Elbow

    Usage

    For a scrape after a fall

15. Ọwọ́

    Hand

    Usage

    The hand itself — give and receive with both hands or the right; the left alone is rude

16. Ìka ọwọ́

    Finger

    Usage

    Literally "finger of the hand" — a toe is "ìka ẹsẹ̀"

17. Èékánná

    Nail

    Usage

    For a crushed nail, or at a salon

18. Àyà

    Chest

    Usage

    Chest pain is urgent — show a doctor at once

19. Ikùn

    Belly / stomach

    Usage

    Yoruba does not split belly from stomach — "ikùn mi ń jẹ mí" is stomach ache

20. Ẹ̀yìn

    Back

    Usage

    For back pain after a long bus ride

21. Itan

    Thigh

    Usage

    From hip to knee — with grave accents, "ìtàn", it becomes a different word meaning story

22. Orúnkún

    Knee

    Usage

    Easily hurt in a fall or on a long walk

23. Ẹsẹ̀

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    One word for leg and foot — point at the spot

24. Awọ ara

    Skin

    Usage

    Literally "skin of the body" — for sunburn or a rash

25. Egungun

    Bone

    Usage

    Show this when you suspect a fracture and want an X-ray

26. Ẹ̀jẹ̀

    Blood

    Usage

    For bleeding and blood tests — "ẹ̀jẹ̀ ríru" is blood pressure

27. Ọkàn

    Heart

    Usage

    Both the organ and the feeling — "àrùn ọkàn" is heart disease

28. Ẹ̀dọ̀

    Liver

    Usage

    You cannot point at it — show the word itself to explain a condition

29. Ẹ̀dọ̀fóró

    Lung

    Usage

    For shortness of breath — harmattan dust can make it worse

30. Kíndìnrín

    Kidney

    Usage

    For explaining a condition or medication

31. Ìfun

    Intestine

    Usage

    For explaining diarrhoea or gut pain to a doctor

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