Greetings

1. Ẹ káàárọ̀

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. "Ẹ" is a respect/plural prefix used for elders and formal situations

   Grammar Note

   Yoruba is a tonal language with three tones: high (´), low (`), and mid (unmarked). Tones distinguish meaning. "Ẹ" is the polite/plural second-person pronoun.

2. Ẹ káàsán

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   Afternoon greeting, used from midday until early evening

   Grammar Note

   Yoruba has distinct greetings for morning, afternoon, and evening. "Sán" means midday or afternoon.

3. Ẹ káalẹ́

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting used after sunset

   Grammar Note

   "Alẹ́" means "night" in Yoruba. Prepending "Ẹ ká" to a time of day creates a polite greeting.

4. Ẹ n lẹ

   Hello (respectful general greeting)

   Usage

   Respectful greeting for elders and superiors. Often accompanied by a slight bow

   Grammar Note

   "Ẹ n lẹ" evolved from "you are here." Yoruba greetings often confirm the other person's presence or wellbeing.

5. Ẹ káàbọ̀

   Welcome

   Usage

   Used to welcome visitors and new arrivals

   Grammar Note

   "Káàbọ̀" derives from the verb "to come/arrive." In Yoruba, "welcome" is literally "you have come," a verb-derived expression.

6. Ó dáàbọ̀

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell greeting. "Ẹ dáàbọ̀" for multiple people. Those staying say it to those leaving

   Grammar Note

   "Dáàbọ̀" conveys going with peace and good fortune. Yoruba farewells often carry a blessing meaning.

7. Ẹ ṣé

   Thank you

   Usage

   Polite thank you. Emphatic form: "Ẹ ṣé gan-an" (thank you very much)

   Grammar Note

   "Ẹ ṣé" literally means "you did (something good)." Gratitude references the act. "Ṣ" represents the "sh" sound in Yoruba.

8. Orúkọ mi ni...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Basic self-introduction. State your name after "ni"

   Grammar Note

   "Ni" marks identity in Yoruba. Word order: topic + possessive + ni + complement. Yoruba tends toward isolation, expressing relations through word order and tone.

9. Báwo ni?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Common wellbeing inquiry. Reply: "Àdúpẹ́" (fine, thanks) or "Mo wà" (I am here/well)

   Grammar Note

   "Báwo ni?" = "How is it?" "Ni" functions as a question marker. Tonal contrasts are critical for meaning in everyday Yoruba conversation.

10. Ẹ jọ̀ọ́

    Please

    Usage

    Used when making requests. Can be placed at the start or end of a sentence

    Grammar Note

    "Jọ̀ọ́" is an adverbial plea marker. Its low-high tone carries the "please" meaning — a clear example of tone serving grammatical function in Yoruba.

11. Níbo ni ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀ wà?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking the location of a toilet in public places or facilities

    Grammar Note

    "Níbo ni...wà?" is a locative question structure. "Wà" is the existential verb meaning "is located." Yoruba questions are formed by positioning the interrogative word.

12. Mi ò lè sọ Yorùbá

    I can't speak Yorùbá

    Usage

    Used to indicate you cannot speak Yorùbá. Often used as a preface to request help in another language

    Grammar Note

    "Mi ò lè sọ" means "I cannot speak". "Lè" marks ability and "sọ" is "to speak". Yorùbá negation places "ò" before the verb (auxiliary). To say "I don't understand" use the high-tone "gbọ́" (Mi ò gbọ́) and mind the tone.

13. Ẹ sùn dáadáa

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay; literally "sleep well." Tone marks are essential — omitting them changes the meaning

14. Kò sí ìṣòro

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to "Ẹ ṣé" (thank you); literally "there's no problem"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages