Yoruba Starter Phrases

When I first started learning Yoruba this site was a big help. It has a long list of phrases to get me started in a conversation.

I found it hard to really use the site, because, as I stated before, Yoruba is a highly tonal language, so the way you pronounce the words matter a lot. Once I downloaded this app  and met Yoruba people would could help me with pronunciation, I began to get the basic rhythm of the language down.

These are some beginner phrases to get you started.

*I did my best to write out the pronunciation in parenthesis, please confirm with a native Yoruba speaker* Watch these adorable Nigerian girls pronounce some of the words below for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Te te  (Teh Teh) Hurry up

Ese o      (Eh-shay-o)   Thank you

Emi ni  Courtney   (Eh-me-knee Courtney ....)   I am Courtney

Oruko mi ni Courtney (Oh-roo-ko me-knee  Courtney)  My name is Courtney

Eroni    (E-ROW-knee)    That's a lie

Odabo  (Oh-daa-bo)   Goodbye

Bawoni  (Bah-woah-knee)   How are you? 

Daa daa ni o (Dah-Dah-knee-o)  Fine

Ekaro     (Eh-kar-row)    Good Morning

Ekale    (Eh-kah-le)      Good Afternoon

Ekason   (Eh-kah-son)     Good Evening

Bee ni     (Beh-knee)     Yes

Bee ko    (Beh-ko)    No

 

Are there any other beginner phrases that are good to know? Please share in the comments.