Yoruba Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Yoruba. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Yoruba.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Yoruba conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| I speak English | mo nso geesi |
| you speak French | o nso faranse |
| he speaks German | o nso jaman |
| she speaks Italian | o nso italian |
| we speak Arabic | a nso larubawa |
| they speak Chinese | won nso shainis |
The past tense in Yoruba conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| I visited France | mo se abewo si faranse |
| you visited Italy | o se abewo si itali |
| he visited Morocco | o se abewo si moroko |
| she visited China | o se abewo si shina |
| we visited Mexico | a se abewo si meksiko |
| they visited Kenya | won se abewo si kenya |
The future tense in Yoruba conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| I will drink milk | emi yio mu wara |
| you will drink coffee | iwo yio mu kofi |
| he will drink tea | oun yio mu tii |
| she will drink water | oun yio mu omi |
| we will drink apple juice | a o mu oje eso-oro-oyinbo |
| they will drink tea | won yio mu tii |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear eti | eye oju | mouth enu | nose imu |
hair irun | face oju | head ori | heart okan |
hand owo | fingers ika | leg ese | feet atelese |
Travel Phrases in Yoruba
Imagine yourself in some Yoruba speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | se o le ranmilowo? |
| Can I help you? | se mo le ran o lowo? |
| Where is the airport? | nibo ni papa oko ofurufu wa? |
| Go straight | lo taa-a-ra |
| Then | lehin-na |
| Turn left | ya si osi |
| Turn right | ya si otun |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Yoruba was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Yoruba Audio |
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |