Getting around in a Yoruba-speaking town is much easier when you know a few direction words and place names. This guide covers both, with simple phrases for asking the way.
Direction words
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| Right | Ọ̀tún |
| Left | Òsì |
| Straight | Tààrà |
| Front | Iwájú |
| Behind / back | Ẹ̀yìn |
| Up | Òkè |
| Down | Ìsàlẹ̀ |
| Near | Nítòsí |
| Far | Jìnnà |
Common places
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| Market | Ọjà |
| School | Ilé-ìwé |
| Hospital | Ilé-ìwòsàn |
| Road | Ọ̀nà |
| House | Ilé |
Asking the way
Use the question word ibo (where): Níbo ni ọjà wà? means ‘Where is the market?’ You may hear answers such as Lọ tààrà (go straight) or Yà sí ọ̀tún (turn right). Find the other question words in our question words guide.
Explore as you learn
Put your new words to work in the best places to visit in Ibadan and the best places to visit in Lagos. Keep your manners with polite phrases, and see our household vocabulary for the inside of the house.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say left and right in Yoruba? Òsì is left and ọ̀tún is right.
How do you ask where something is? Use níbo, as in Níbo ni…wà?
Photo: Mapo Hall at Beere, Ibadan (Unsplash contributor), illustrative of a landmark in a Yoruba city. Spellings and tone marks follow common usage; check with a native speaker for formal writing.
