Transportation

1. Níbo ni ibùdó bọ̀ọ̀sì wà?

   NEE-boh nee ee-BOO-doh BOH-oh-see WAH

   Where is the bus stop?

   Usage

   Asking for the bus stop location. In Nigeria, the "danfo" (yellow minibus) is a primary transport mode

   Grammar Note

   "Níbo ni...wà?" is a fixed location question frame. The question word is "níbo"; "ni" is a focus marker; "wà" means "to exist/be located."

2. Mo fẹ́ lọ sí Èkó

   moh FEH loh see EH-koh

   I want to go to Lagos

   Usage

   "Èkó" is the Yoruba name for Lagos, Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital

   Grammar Note

   "Lọ sí" is a directional verb construction: "go + to." "Sí" is the preposition marking direction/destination, equivalent to English "to."

3. Èló ni owó ọkọ̀ tákísì?

   eh-LOH nee oh-WOH oh-KOH TAH-kee-see

   How much is the taxi fare?

   Usage

   Confirming transport fare. Nigeria commonly uses taxis and okada (motorcycle taxis)

   Grammar Note

   "Èló ni" is the standard way to ask a price ("mélòó" asks for a count). "Owó ọkọ̀" means the fare.

4. Dúró níbí

   DOO-roh NEE-bee

   Stop here

   Usage

   Instructing a driver to stop. Commonly used in danfo minibuses and taxis

   Grammar Note

   "Dúró" is an imperative verb form. Yoruba imperatives use the verb root directly. "Níbí" is a locative adverb meaning "here."

5. Ọ̀nà wo la máa ń lò?

   OH-nah woh lah MAH-ah n loh

   Which route do we take?

   Usage

   Confirming the route. Used when boarding long-distance buses or taxis

   Grammar Note

   "Máa ń lò" expresses habitual aspect. "Máa ń" is an auxiliary construction meaning "habitually does/usually."

6. Ìgbà wo ni ọkọ̀ ojú-irin máa ń dé?

   EEG-bah woh nee oh-KOH oh-JOO-ee-reen MAH-ah n DEH

   When does the train arrive?

   Usage

   Asking about train arrival. Lagos has a light rail (Blue Line) and a rail system; BRT is a bus service

   Grammar Note

   "Ọkọ̀ ojú-irin" is a compound: "vehicle + iron face." Yoruba creates new concepts through compound nouns.

7. Mo ti sọnù

   moh tee SOHN-oo

   I am lost

   Usage

   Expressing that you are lost and need help finding your way

   Grammar Note

   "Ti" is a perfective aspect marker. "Mo ti sọnù" = "I have (already) gotten lost," expressing a completed action with present relevance.

8. Ẹ ran mí lọ́wọ́

   eh RAHN mee LOH-woh

   Please help me

   Usage

   Used when asking for directions or help. "Lọ́wọ́" literally means "hand" — a common idiom for help

   Grammar Note

   "Ran...lọ́wọ́" is an idiomatic expression meaning to "extend a hand" = to help. "Lọ́wọ́" is a contraction of "ní ọwọ́" (in the hand).

9. Lọ tààrà

   loh TAH-rah

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Giving directions. Commonly used when guiding someone on the road

   Grammar Note

   "Tààrà" is an adverb meaning "straight". Yoruba places such adverbs after the verb. The imperative uses the bare verb root.

10. Ọkọ̀ alùpùpù

    oh-KOH ah-LOO-poo-poo

    Motorcycle taxi (okada)

    Usage

    One of the most common transport modes in Nigeria. "Okada" navigates traffic jams efficiently

    Grammar Note

    "Ọkọ̀ alùpùpù" is a compound noun meaning "motorcycle vehicle" (the same "alùpùpù" as in the vehicles category). In Lagos, motorcycle taxis are also widely known as "okada."

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