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Yoruba Most Popular Words

Welcome to our Yoruba list of the most popular words and expressions. If you memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will be able to communicate with most people in Afrikaas without many issues. Make sure you add this list to your must read pages so that you don't forget the words.

Coffee kofi

Milk wara

Breakfast ounje aaro

Lunch ounje osan

Dinner ounje ale

Bread buredi

Cheese wara-kasi

Chicken Ẹran adìẹ

Eggs Àwọn ẹyin

Fish eja

Food Àwọn Onjẹ

Fruit Àwọn Eso

Meat eran

Sandwich sanwiṣi

Sugar Iyọ̀ òyìnbó

Tea Tíì

Tomatoes tomati

Vegetables

Water Omi

Belt igbadi

Clothes Awon Aso

Coat ewu awoleke

Dress Ẹ̀wù

Glasses Àwọn ife ìmumi

Gloves Ìbọ̀wọ́

Hat Ate/Fila

Jacket ewu awoleke

Pants (Trousers) sokoto

Ring Òrùka

Shirt ewu penpe

Shoes bata

Socks ibose

Suit suutu

Sweater ewu otutu

Tie tai

Umbrella Agboòrùn

Underwear awotele

Wallet Ọ̀pọ́ọ̀

Watch Aago ọ̀wọ́

Do you like my dress? Ṣé aṣọ mi wù ẹ́?

Book iwe

Books awon iwe

Chair aga ijoko

Desk Àpótí ìkọ̀wé

Dictionary iwe itumo oro

Languages awon édé

Library ile ikojopo-iwe

Laptop Ẹ̀rọ́ a-yára-bí-à-alá-gbé-létan

Page oju ewe

Paper takada

Pen kalamu

Question ibeere

School Ilé Ìwé

Student Akẹ́kọ̀ọ́

Teacher oluko

University Yunifasiti

I have a question Mo ní ìbéèrè kan

What's the name of that book? Kínni orúkọ ìwé yẹn?

Arm Apá

Back Ẹ̀yìn

Ear eti

Eye oju

Face oju

Feet atelese

Fingers Awon ika owo

Hair irun

Hand owo

Head ori

Heart okan

Leg ẹsẹ

Mouth ẹnu

Neck Ọrùn

Nose imu

Teeth Ẹ̀yin

She has beautiful eyes Ojú rẹ̀ rẹwà

Airplane oko baalu

Airport papa baalu

Bus oko ero

Bus station ilé ìwọ́kọ̀ bọ́ọsì

Car oko-ayokele

Flight Ìgbérasọ

Help Desk Ojúkò Ìrànlọ́wọ́

Hotel Ilé ìtura

Passport iwe ifuni-laaye

Taxi oko aje-igboro

Ticket iwe afiwole

Tourism Ìrìnàjo afẹ́

Train (noun) oko oju irin

Train station Ìbùdó ọkọ̀ ojú irin

By train Nípa ọkọ̀ ojú irin

By car Nípa ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́

By bus Nípa ọkọ bọ́ọ̀sì

By taxi Nípa ọkọ̀ ajé ìgboro

By airplane Nípa ọkọ̀ òfúrufú

Do you accept credit cards? Ṣe ẹ ngba kẹdirit kadi?

How much will it cost? Eélòó ni yóò náni?

I have a reservation Mo ti gbà ààyè sílẹ̀

I'd like to rent a car Mó fẹ́ láti yá ọkọ̀

I'm here on business /on vacation. Iṣẹ́ ló gbé mi débí/ lẹ́nu ìsinmi.

Is this seat taken? Ṣé ẹnìkan ti gbà ìjókòó yìí?

Good luck! [Ẹ/O] ó ṣoríire!

Happy birthday! [Ẹ/O] kú ọjọ́ ìbí!

Happy new year! [Ẹ/O] kú ọdún tuntun!

Merry Christmas! [Ẹ/O] kú ọdún Kérésìmesì!

Baby Ọmọ ọwọ́

Boy omokunrin

Brother aburo/ẹgbọn ọkunrin

Child (female) Ọmọ (abo)

Child (male) Ọmọ (akọ)

Cousin (female) arabirin

Cousin (male) arakunrin

Daughter Ọmọbìnrin

Father baba

Girl omobirin

Grandfather baba-baba

Grandmother iya-iya

Husband Ọkọ

Man ọkunrin

Mother iya

People Àwọn Eniyan

Sister egbon/aburo obirin

Son omokunrin

Wife iyawo

Woman obinrin

How old is your sister? Báwo ni arábìnrin rẹ ti dàgbà tó

What's your brother called? Orúkọ wo ni a npè arákùnrin rẹ?

Actor akitọ

Actress akirẹsi

Artist Oníṣẹ́ ọnà/Oníṣọ̀nà

Businessman Oníṣòwò

Doctor onisegun

Nurse Nọọsi

Policeman Ọlọ́pàá

Singer Akọrin/Olórin

Student Akẹ́kọ̀ọ́

Teacher oluko

Translator Atumọ̀ èdè/Gbédè-gbẹ́yọ̀

He is a policeman Ọlọ́pàá ni òun

I'm an artist Oníṣẹ́ ọnà/Oníṣọ̀nà ni mí

I'm looking for a job Mo nwá iṣẹ́

Days Àwọn ọjọ́

Monday ojo-aje

Tuesday ojo-isegun

Wednesday Ọjọ́'rùú

Thursday Ọjọ́'bọ

Friday ojo-eti

Saturday ojo abameta

Sunday ojo aiku

January Ṣẹ́rẹ́

February Èrele

March Ẹrẹ́nà

April Igbe

May Èbìbí

June Òkúdù

July Agẹmọ

August Ògún

September Ọ̀wẹwẹ̀

October Ọ̀wàrà

November Bélú

December Ọpẹ́

Autumn Ìgbà Ọyẹ

Winter Ìgbà Òtútù

Spring Ìgbà Afẹ́rẹ́

Summer Ìgbà Ooru

Time Àkókò

Hour Wákàtí

Minute Ìṣẹ́jú

Second ekeji

I was born in July A bí mi nínú Oṣù Agẹmọ/Oṣù Keje

I will visit you in August Ng ó bẹ̀ [ọ́/yín] wò nínú [Oṣù Ògún/Oṣù Kẹjọ]

Cold otutu

Hot gbona

Rain Òjò

Snow yin-yin

Spring afẹrẹ

Summer Ìgbà ooru

Sun Oòrùn

Sunny Oòrùn mú

Warm lo wooro

Wind afefe

Windy igba afefe

Winter Ìgbà òtútù

It is raining Òjò nrọ̀

It is sunny Oòrùn mú

It is windy Atẹ́gùn nfẹ́

It's cold Ó tutù

It's hot Ó gbóná

Bed ibusun

Bedroom iyewu

Computer Ẹ̀rọ a-yára-bí àṣá

Door Ilẹ̀kùn

Furniture Àkójọpọ̀ àga àti tábìlì

House ile

Kitchen ile-idana

Refrigerator Ẹ̀rọ amónjẹ tutù

Room Iyàrá

Television Ẹ̀rọ amóhùnmáwòrán

Toilet ile-igbonse

Window ferese

Can you open the window? Njẹ́ [ẹ/o] lè ti fèrèsé?

I need to use the computer Mo fẹ́́ lò ẹ̀rọ a-yára-bí àṣá

Arabic Èdè Lárúbáwá

Moroccan Morokan

Morocco Moroko

Chinese (language) Ṣínkó

Chinese (nationality) Ṣainiṣi

China Ṣaina

English geesi

British Gẹẹsi

Britain Orílẹ̀-èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì

American Amerikan

America Amerika

French (language) faranse

French (nationality) Faranse

France Faranse

Italian (language) italia

Italian (nationality) Italian

Italy Orílẹ̀-èdè Itali

Japanese (language) japanis

Japanese (nationality) Japanis

Japan Orílẹ̀-èdè Japaani

Russian (language) roshian

Russian (nationality) Roṣiani

Russia roshia

Spanish (language) spanish

Spanish (nationality) Supaniṣi

Spain Orílẹ̀-èdé Speeni

I don't speak Korean Mi ko le sọ ede Koreani.

I speak Italian Mo nsọ italia.

I want to go to Germany Mo fẹ́ lọ sí Jamani

I was born in Italy Itali ni a bí mi sí

Black Dúdú

Blue Àwọ̀ Ojú Ọ̀run

Brown Àwọ̀ igi

Colors Àwọn Àwọ̀

Green Àwọ̀ Ewé

Orange Àwọ̀ Òféfèé

Red pupa

White funfun

Yellow pupa rusurusu

I have black hair Mo ní irun dúdú

Your cat is white Ológbò rẹ funfun

Far Jìnnà

Here Ìhín

Left Òsì

Right Ọ̀tún

Near nitosi

Straight Tààrà

There Ọ̀hún

Can I help you? Njẹ́ mo lè ràn ọ́ lọ́wọ́?

Can you help me? Njẹ́ o lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́?

Can you show me? Ṣé ẹ lè fi hàn mi?

Come with me! [Ẹ] tẹ̀lé mi!

I'm lost Mo ti ṣìnà

I'm not from here Ìhín kọ́ ni mo ti wá

Turn left Yà sí òsì

Turn right Yà sí ọ̀tún

Can you take less? Ṣẹ́ ẹ lè dín owó rẹ̀?

Do you accept credit cards? Ṣe ẹ ngba kẹdirit kadi?

How much is this? Eélòó ni wọ́n ntà èyí?

I'm just looking Mo sá nwòye

Only cash please! Owó sísan nìkan ni, ẹ jọ̀wọ́!

This is very expensive Èyí/ Eléyìí ti wọ́n jù

I'm vegetarian Èmi kìí jẹran

It is very delicious! Ó dùn jọjọ!

May we have the check please? Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ṣé ẹ lè fún wa ní ṣẹ́ẹ̀ki náà?

The bill please! Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, iwé owó náà!

Waiter / waitress! weta

What do you recommend? (to eat) Kínni ẹ fọwọ́ sí? (láti jẹ)

What's the name of this dish? Kínni orúkọ onjẹ yìí?

Menu Àkọsílẹ̀

Spoon Ṣíbí

No problem! Kò séwu

Accident Jàmbá

Ambulance oko ile iwosan

Doctor onisegun

Headache efori

Heart attack Àìsàn ọkàn

Help me [Ẹ] ràn mí lọ́wọ́

Hospital ile iwosan

Medicines oogun

Pharmacy pipo-oogun

Poison majele

Police Ọ̀lọ́pàá

Stomach ache inu-rirun

Are you okay? se ara ya?

Call a doctor! Pè oníṣègùn òyìnbó

Call the ambulance! pe oko ile-iwosan

Call the police! Pè ọlọ́pàá

Calm down! Fara balẹ̀!

I feel sick Ara mi kò dá

It hurts here Ibí yìí npani lára

It's urgent! Ó nfẹ́ ìkánjú

Stop! Dúró!

Thief! Olè!

Animal Ẹranko

Cat ologbo

Dog aja

Horse esin

Do you have any animals? Sé ẹ/o ní àwọn ẹranko?

I have a dog Mo ní ajá kan

Small Kékeré

Big Nlá

Tall Gíga

Short Kúkúrú

Cheap Ó gbọ̀pọ̀

Expensive Ó wọ́n

Good Dára

Bad Kò dára

Wrong Kò tọ̀nà/Kò tọ́nà/Kò bójúmu

Right (correct) Tọ̀nà/Tọ́nà/Bójúmu

New Tuntun

Old (opposite of new) Gbó/Ti àtijọ́

Young Jẹ́ ọ̀dọ́

Old (opposite of young) Darúgbó

Difficult Nira/Ṣòro/Le

Easy Rọrùn

This is too expensive Èyí wọ́n púpọ̀ jù

Am I right or wrong? Ṣé mo tọ̀nà àbí mi ò tọ̀nà?

Here ibi

There ibẹyẹn

Quickly Kíákíá

Really lotitọ

Slowly Díẹ̀díẹ̀

Always igbagbogbo

Never ko si rara

Sometimes lẹnkankan

Next week Ọ̀sẹ̀ tí ó nbọ̀

Now Ìsisìyí

Soon Láìpẹ́

Today oni

Tomorrow ola

Tonight ale yi

Yesterday ana

Do you like it here? Njẹ́ [ẹ/o] fẹ́ bí ó ti rí níhín?

See you later! Ó dìgbà kan ná!

Thank you very much! [Ẹ/O] ṣe púpọ̀!

Woman Obìnrin

Women awon arabirin

Man Ọkùnrin

Men awon ọkunrin

Boy Ọmọdékùnrin

Boys awon omokunrin

Girl Ọmọdébìnrin

Girls awon omobirin

Country ìlú

Countries Awọ́n Orílẹ̀ Èdè

We speak two languages Mo so ede meji.

Cat ologbo

Dog aja

Woman obinrin

Women awon arabirin

Mother mama

Sister aburo/ẹgbọn obirin

I have a dog Mo ní ajá kan

I speak Italian Mo nsọ italia.

A French teacher is here Olukọ faranse kan wa nihin.

The French teacher is here Olukọ faranse na wa nihin.

Some languages are hard Awọn ede kan le.

Many languages are easy Awọn ede pupọ le.

The student speaks Korean Akẹkọ na sọ ede korean.

A student speaks Korean Akẹkọ kan sọ ede korean.

Some students speak Korean Awọn akẹkọ kan sọ ede korean.

In front of niwaju

Behind lehin

Before saaju

After lehin

Inside ninu

With pelu

Without laisi

Outside ita

On top of ori rẹ

Under nisale

And ati

Between laarin

But sugbon

For fun

From lati

In inu

Near Súnmọ́

Or abi

Can I practice Italian with you? Ṣe mo le puratisi ede itali pẹlu rẹ.

I speak French but with an accent Mo nsọ faranse, sugbọn pẹlu ami.

Boy ọmọkunrin

Girl ọmọbinrin

Man ọkunrin

Woman Obìnrin

Father baba

Mother iya

Brother egbon/aburo okunrin

Sister egbon/aburo obirin

Cat (Masc.) ologbo

Cat (Fem.) ologbo

He is tall O o ga.

She is tall O o ga.

He is a short man ọkunrin kukuru ni.

She is a short woman Obinrin kukuru ni.

One ẹyokan

Two meji

Three meta

Four merin

Five marun

Six mefa

Seven meje

Eight mejo

Nine mesan

Ten mewa

I emi

You iwo

He oun

She oun

We awa

You (plural) eyin

They awon

I love you Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ [rẹ/yín]

Me mi

You iwo

Him un

Her un

Us wa

You (plural) ẹyin

Them won

Give me your phone number Fun mi ni nọmba ibanisọrọ rẹ.

I can give you my email Mo le fun ẹ ni imeeli mi.

My mi

Your re

His tire

Her tire

Our wa

Your (plural) tiwọn

Their won

His email is … Imeeli rẹ ni ...

My phone number is … Nọmba mi ni ...

How? Báwo?

What? Kínni?

When? Nígbà wo?

Where? Níbo?

Who? Tani?

Why? Kí ló fà á?

Can I help you? Njẹ́ mo lè ràn ọ́ lọ́wọ́?

Can you help me? Njẹ́ o lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́?

Do you speak English? Njẹ [ẹ/o] nsọ èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì?

How much is this? Eélòó ni wọ́n ntà èyí?

What is your name? Kini orukọ rẹ?

What time is it? Àkókò wo ni?/ Aago mélòó?/ Kínni aago sọ?

When can we meet? Ni gbawo ni a ma rira?

Where do you live? Ibo ni [ẹ/o] ngbé?

Who is knocking at the door? Tani o nka ilẹkun?

Why is it expensive? Kini o ṣe wọn?

No oti

Nothing kosi

Not yet koiya

No one ko si enikan

No longer Ko si mọ

Never rara

Cannot ko le ṣe

Should not kò gbọdọ̀

Don't worry! Má ṣe ìyọnu!

I cannot remember the word Mi ko ranti oro na.

I do not speak Japanese Mí ko sọ́ Japani.

I don't know! Mi ò mọ̀!

I'm not fluent in Italian yet Mi ko le sọ italian jaara.

No one here speaks Greek Ko si ẹni ti o nsọ giriki nihin.

No problem! Kò séwu

To drive Láti wakọ̀

To drive wà

To give fún

To have ní

To know mọ

To understand yé

To work ṣiṣẹ́

To write kọ́

He understands me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ye e.

He understood me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ti ye e.

He will understand me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ma ye e.

I see you Mo rí ẹ.

He reads a book Ó ka ìwé.

He understands me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ye e.

She has a cat Ó ní ológbò.

She knows my friend Ó mọ òrẹ́ mi.

We want to learn A fẹ́ kọ́.

We think Spanish is easy Á rò pé Súpániṣi rọrùn.

They drive a car Nwọn nwa ọ́kọ̀ ayọ́kọlẹ.

They smile Nwọn rẹ́rìn.

I saw you Mo tí rí ẹ.

I wrote with a pen Mo tí kọ́ pẹ̀lú kálàmù.

You loved apples Ó tí fẹ́ràn ápùlù.

You gave money Ó tí fun ní owó.

You played tennis Ó ti ṣeré tẹnísì.

He understood me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ti ye e.

She had a cat Ó ti ní ológbò.

She knew my friend Ó ti mọ òrẹ́ mi.

We wanted to learn A ti fẹ́ kọ́.

They smiled Nwọn ti rẹ́rìn.

I will see you Mo ma rí ẹ.

I will write with a pen Mo ma kọ́ pẹ̀lú kálàmù.

He will read a book Ó ma ká ìwé.

He will understand me Ọ̀rọ̀ mí ma ye e.

We will think about you A ma ronu nipa rẹ.

Go! Lọ!

Stop! Dúró!

Don't Go! Ma lọ!

Stay! Duro!

Come here! Wa nibi!

Be quiet! Dakẹ!

Go straight Lọ tààrà

Wait! Duro!

Let's go! Jẹ kalọ!

Sit down! Joko!

Good Dára

Better dara ju

Best dara julọ

Bad Kò dára

Worse bajẹ ju

Worst bajẹ julọ

Taller ga ju

Shorter kuru

Younger kere ju

Older da gba ju

As tall as ga bi

Taller than ga ju

Shorter than kuru ju

More beautiful dara ju

Less beautiful dara diẹ

Most beautiful dara pupo

Happy Inú rẹ̀ dùn

Happier idunu pupọ

Happiest idunu pupọ pupọ

You are happy Inu rẹ dun.

You are as happy as Maya Inu rẹ dun bi Maya.

You are happier than Maya Inu rẹ dun ju Maya.

You are the happiest Iwọ ni inu rẹ dun ju.

Hi! Báwo!

Good morning! [Ẹ/O] káárọ̀!

Good afternoon! [Ẹ/O] káàsán!

Good evening! [Ẹ/O] kú ìrọ̀lẹ́!, [Ẹ/O] kú alẹ́!

How are you? (polite) Ṣé dáadáa ni?

How are you? (friendly) Báwo ni?

What's up? (colloquial) Kí ló nṣẹlẹ̀?

I'm fine, thank you! Mo wà dáadáa, [ẹ/o] ṣeun!

And you? (polite) [Ìwọ/Ẹ̀yin] náa nkọ́?

And you? (friendly) [Ìwọ/Ẹ̀yin] náa nkọ́?

Good Dára

Do you speak English? Njẹ [ẹ/o] nsọ èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì?

Just a little Díẹ̀ ṣá

What's your name? Kínni orúkọ [rẹ/yín]?

My name is (John Doe) Orúkọ mi ni (John Doe)

Mr.../ Mrs. .../ Miss... Ọ̀gbẹ́ni…/Aya…/Omidan

Nice to meet you! Ó dára láti rí [yín/ọ]!

You're very kind! [Ẹ/O] ní inú rere púpọ̀!

Where are you from? Níbo ni [ẹ/o] ti wá?

I'm from the U.S Ilẹ̀ Amẹrika ni mo ti wá

I'm American Ọmọ ilẹ̀ Amẹrika ni mí

Where do you live? Ibo ni [ẹ/o] ngbé?

I live in the U.S Ilẹ Amẹrika ni mo ngbé

Do you like it here? Njẹ́ [ẹ/o] fẹ́ bí ó ti rí níhín?

How old are you? Ọmọ ọdún mélòó ni [ọ́/yín]?

I'm (twenty, thirty...) Years old Ọmọ (oguń, ọgbọ̀n….) ọdún ni mi

Are you married? Ṣé o/ẹ ti ṣe ìgbéyàwó?

Do you have children? Ṣé [ẹ/o] ní àwọn ọmọ

I have to go Mo ní láti lọ

I will be right back! Mà á padà wá!

Nice to meet you! Ó dára láti rí [yín/ọ]!

Can I practice Italian with you? Ṣe mo le puratisi ede itali pẹlu rẹ.

My French is bad Èdè Faranse mi kò dára

I need to practice my French Mo ní láti máa ṣe àgbéyèwò èdè Faranse mi

Would you like to go for a walk? Àbí [ẹ/ọ] ó rìn jáde lọ?

Can I have your phone number? Ṣé [ẹ/o] lè fún mi ní nọ́mbà ẹ̀rọ ìbániṣọ̀rọ̀ [yín/rẹ]̀?

Can I have your email? Ṣé [ẹ/o] lè fún mi ní ímeèlì yín/rẹ

Are you married? Ṣé [ẹ/o] ti ṣe ìgbeyàwó?

I'm single Mi ò tíì ṣe ìgbeyàwó

Are you free tomorrow evening? Ṣé wàá ráàyè ní ìrọ̀lẹ́ ọ̀la?

I would like to invite you for dinner Mo nfẹ́ láti pè [ọ́/yín] síbi àsè

Where do you live? Ibo ni [ẹ/o] ngbé?

When can we meet? Ni gbawo ni a ma rira?

Do you like it? Ṣé [ẹ/o] fẹ́ ẹ?

I really like it! Mo fẹ́ ẹ nítòótọ́!

I love you Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ [rẹ/yín]

Would you marry me? Ṣé [ẹ/o] ó fẹ́ mi?

I hope you enjoyed this lesson about the most used phrases and vocabulary in Yoruba. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. Now check the next lesson below.

Inspirational Quote: A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.

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