Directions

1. Níbo ni X wà?

   Ní-bo ni X wà?

   Where is X?

   Usage

   The basic phrase for asking where a specific location is

   Grammar Note

   "Níbo ni X wà?" means "Where is X?". The question word "níbo" (where) goes at the start, followed by the focus marker "ni" ("níbí" is a different word meaning "here"). Preface with "Jọ̀wọ́" (please) to be polite

2. Lọ tààrà

   Lọ tàà-rà

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used to direct someone to go straight

   Grammar Note

   "Lọ" is the Yoruba imperative of "to go". "Tààrà" is an adverb meaning "straight", so "Lọ tààrà" means "go straight"

3. Yípadà sí ọ̀tún

   Yí-pa-dà sí ọ̀-tún

   Turn right

   Usage

   Used to direct someone to turn right

   Grammar Note

   Directions: "ọ̀tún" (right), "òsì" (left). Tones matter: "ọ̀" in "ọ̀tún" is low tone. "Sí" is a directional preposition meaning "toward"

4. Yípadà sí òsì

   Yí-pa-dà sí ò-sì

   Turn left

   Usage

   Used to direct someone to turn left

   Grammar Note

   "Òsì" (left) can carry negative connotations in some Yoruba cultural contexts, but as a directional term it is used normally and neutrally in navigation

5. Ó jìnnà bí?

   Ó jìn-nà bí?

   Is it far?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether a destination is far

   Grammar Note

   "Bí" is a question-forming particle. Opposite of "jìnnà" (far) is "sún mọ́" (near/close). "Ó sún mọ́ bí?" (Is it near?) is the useful counterpart

6. Mo sọnù

   Mo sọ-nù

   I am lost

   Usage

   Used to say you are lost and need help

   Grammar Note

   "Sọnù" means to lose or get lost. In an emergency, add "Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ ràn mí lọ́wọ́!" (please help me!) to convey urgency

7. Ibùdó ọkọ òfuurufú wà níbí?

   I-bù-dó ọ-kọ ò-fuu-ru-fú wà ní-bí?

   Where is the airport?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to the airport

   Grammar Note

   "Ọkọ òfuurufú" literally means "sky vehicle" (airplane). Lagos's Murtala Muhammed International Airport is Nigeria's busiest hub. "Ibùdó" means a stop/terminal

8. Jọ̀wọ́, ṣe àlàyé fún mi

   Jọ-wọ, ṣe à-là-yé fún mi

   Please explain to me

   Usage

   Used to ask for a clearer explanation of directions

   Grammar Note

   "Ṣe àlàyé" is the verb phrase for "to explain". "Fún" is a benefactive preposition (for). "Jọwọ" (please) can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence

9. Ṣé ọ̀nà yìí lọ sí ọjà?

   Ṣé ọ̀-nà yì-í lọ sí ọ-jà?

   Does this road go to the market?

   Usage

   Used to confirm whether a road leads to the market or intended destination

   Grammar Note

   "Ọjà" (market) is central to Yoruba community life. Traditional Yoruba markets follow a 4-day cycle. Lagos's major markets like Balogun and Alaba are vital commerce hubs

10. Ẹ ṣé fún ìtọ́sọ́nà

    Ẹ ṣé fún ì-tọ́-sọ́-nà

    Thank you for the directions / information

    Usage

    Used to thank someone for giving directions or helpful information

    Grammar Note

    "Ìtọ́sọ́nà" means guidance or directions in Yoruba. Using the respectful "ẹ ṣé" instead of "o ṣé" (casual) demonstrates proper Yoruba etiquette toward strangers and elders

11. Ọ̀tún

    Right

    Usage

    Show a taxi driver which way to turn while moving

12. Òsì

    Left

    Usage

    Show a taxi driver which way to turn while moving

13. Tààrà

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Tell the driver to keep going straight

14. Padà

    Go back

    Usage

    When you have gone too far and need to turn back

15. Àríwá

    North

    Usage

    Check a direction against a map

16. Gúúsù

    South

    Usage

    Check a direction against a map

17. Ìlà oòrùn

    East

    Usage

    Check a direction against a map; literally "where the sun rises"

18. Ìwọ̀ oòrùn

    West

    Usage

    Check a direction against a map; literally "where the sun sets"

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