Building a basic vocabulary is the fastest way to start speaking Yoruba. This guide lists 60 common Yoruba words grouped by topic, with their English meanings. Yoruba is a tonal language, so the tone marks matter, and spellings can vary slightly in everyday writing.
Family and People
- Bàbá: father
- Ìyá / Màmá: mother
- Ọmọ: child
- Ẹ̀gbọ́n: older sibling
- Àbúrò: younger sibling
- Ọ̀rẹ́: friend
- Ọkọ: husband
- Ìyàwó: wife or bride
- Ọkùnrin: man
- Obìnrin: woman
Home, Food and Drink
- Ilé: house or home
- Oúnjẹ: food
- Omi: water
- Ẹja: fish
- Ẹran: meat
- Ẹ̀fọ́: vegetables
- Iyọ̀: salt
- Òróró: oil
- Ọtí: alcoholic drink
- Ìrẹsì: rice
Places and Nature
- Ìlú: town or city
- Ọjà: market
- Ọ̀nà: road or path
- Odò: river
- Òkun: sea or ocean
- Igi: tree
- Ewé: leaf
- Òkè: hill
- Ọ̀run: sky or heaven
- Ilẹ̀: land or ground
Time and Feelings
- Ọjọ́: day
- Òní: today
- Ọ̀la: tomorrow
- Àná: yesterday
- Alẹ́: night or evening
- Àárọ̀: morning
- Ìfẹ́: love
- Ayọ̀: joy
- Àlàáfíà: peace or well-being
- Ọlọ́run: God
Everyday Verbs
- Jẹun: eat
- Mu: drink
- Wá: come
- Lọ: go
- Rí: see
- Gbọ́: hear or understand
- Sọ̀rọ̀: speak
- Kọ́: learn or build, depending on tone
- Sùn: sleep
- Ṣiṣẹ́: work
Tips for Learning Vocabulary
- Learn words in groups, as this guide does, and use them in short sentences.
- Say each word aloud, paying attention to the tone. Read why tone marks matter.
- Practise the letters in the Yoruba alphabet guide.
- Add numbers from Yoruba numbers 1 to 100 and time words from days of the week and months.
Keep Learning
Follow the roadmap in how to learn Yoruba, then try common phrases in essential Yoruba phrases and Yoruba greetings. For a dictionary of names, visit YorubaName, and for general reading see Wikipedia’s Yoruba language page.
Common Yoruba Words FAQs
What are the most common Yoruba words?
Words for family, food, places, time and basic verbs, such as bàbá, ìyá, omi, ilé, ọjọ́ and wá, are the most useful to learn first.
Do tone marks change the meaning of Yoruba words?
Yes. The same letters can mean different things depending on tone.
How many Yoruba words should a beginner learn?
Starting with 50 to 100 everyday words and using them daily is a good goal.
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