Money & Exchange

1. Iye owó rẹ̀ jẹ́ mélòó?

   I-ye o-wó rẹ̀ jẹ́ mé-lòó?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most basic way to ask the price of something

   Grammar Note

   "Owó" means money and value in Yoruba. "Mélòó" asks "how many/much". Nigeria's currency is the Naira (NGN)

2. Ó wọ́n jù

   Ó wọ́n jù

   It is too expensive

   Usage

   Used when the price seems too high

   Grammar Note

   "Wọ́n" means to be expensive. "Jù" indicates excess. Price negotiation is common and expected in Lagos markets — starting at about half the asking price is typical

3. Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ dín owó náà kù

   Ẹ jọ-wọ dín o-wó náà kù

   Please reduce the price

   Usage

   A polite way to ask for a price reduction in the market

   Grammar Note

   "Dín" means to reduce/decrease. "Náà" is an anaphoric marker (the/that). Adding "ẹ jọwọ" (please respectful) softens the negotiation request significantly

4. Mo fẹ́ yí owó padà

   Mo fẹ́ yí o-wó pa-dà

   I want to exchange money

   Usage

   Used when you want to exchange foreign currency into Nigerian Naira

   Grammar Note

   "Yí padà" means to convert or change (lit: to turn back). Exchange at banks or licensed Bureau de Change (BDC). Avoid black-market exchange for security reasons

5. Ṣé ẹ gbà àwọn kàdì?

   Ṣé ẹ gbà à-wọn kà-dì?

   Do you accept cards?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Kàdì" is from English "card". POS terminals are common in urban Nigeria, but cash remains dominant. The cashless policy is expanding but not universal yet

6. Níbo ni ATM wà?

   Ní-bo ni ATM wà?

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of an ATM

   Grammar Note

   Major Nigerian bank ATMs include First Bank, GTBank, and Zenith Bank. "ATM" is used directly from English. Local Verve debit cards work alongside international Visa/Mastercard

7. Ẹ fún mi ní owó padà mi

   Ẹ fún mi ní o-wó pa-dà mi

   Give me my change here

   Usage

   Used to request your change after payment

   Grammar Note

   "Owó padà" literally means "money that returns" = change. In Nigeria, coin shortages sometimes mean vendors give sweets or other small items instead of exact change

8. Fún mi ní rìsíìtì

   Fún mi ní rì-sí-ì-tì

   Give me a receipt

   Usage

   Used to request a receipt after making a payment

   Grammar Note

   "Rìsíìtì" (low-high-low-low) borrows English "receipt": a written acknowledgement that a sum of money has been received, such as a receipt handed over by a tax collector. English "receipt" is also widely understood throughout Nigeria.

9. Iye owó rẹ̀ dára

   I-ye o-wó rẹ̀ dá-rà

   The price is fair / good

   Usage

   Used to indicate that the price is fair or reasonable

   Grammar Note

   Use this after reaching agreement in price negotiation. Follow with "A ó ra" (we will buy it) or simply smile and complete the transaction

10. Mo ti sanwó

    Mo ti san-wó

    I have paid

    Usage

    Used to confirm that you have already paid

    Grammar Note

    "Sanwó" = "san" (to pay) + "owó" (money). "Ti" marks the perfect/completed aspect. This phrase confirms payment has been made to avoid double-charging

11. Káàdì

    Card

    Usage

    Show that you want to pay by card

12. Ẹ pín owó náà

    Please split the bill

    Usage

    Ask for the bill to be split between you

13. Ẹ kó owó náà papọ̀

    Please put it all on one bill

    Usage

    When one person pays for everyone

14. Ẹ fún mi ní ìyókù owó mi

    Please give me my change

    Usage

    Show this when the change has not come back

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