Being able to say how you feel is a big step from memorising words to having real conversations. Yoruba often describes emotions through the word inú (belly or inside), as in inú mi dùn, literally “my inside is sweet”, meaning “I am happy”. This guide covers the most useful feelings and body states with example sentences. Regional variants exist, so you may hear alternatives. For the basic sentence pattern, see Yoruba pronouns and sentence structure.
Core Feelings
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| I am happy | Inú mi dùn. |
| I am angry | Inú ń bí mi. |
| I am afraid | Ẹ̀rù ń bà mí. |
| I am tired | Àárẹ̀ mú mi. |
| I am hungry | Ebi ń pa mí. |
| I am thirsty | Òùngbẹ ń gbẹ mí. |
| I am sleepy | Oorun ń gbé mi. |
Feeling Words
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| joy | ayọ̀ |
| love | ìfẹ́ |
| anger | ìbínú |
| fear | ẹ̀rù |
| sorrow | ìbànújẹ́ |
| surprise | ìyàlẹ́nu |
Asking About Feelings
- Báwo ni? How are you?
- Ṣé ara rẹ ti yá? Are you feeling better?
- Ṣé inú rẹ dùn? Are you happy?
Express affection with how to say I love you in Yoruba, and mark good news with happy birthday in Yoruba.
Culture Note: Politeness and Care
Yoruba culture values ìwà (character) and consideration for others, often summed up as omoluabi. When someone is unwell or sad, it is polite to offer words of comfort. Read about the idea in Yoruba culture, traditions and values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say I am happy in Yoruba?
Inú mi dùn.
What does inú mean?
Belly or inside; many emotion phrases are built on it.
Where can I practise?
Use the Learn Yoruba hub and the Yoruba quiz.
Featured image: sisters laughing and smiling, photo by alex starnes on Unsplash.
