Food is one of the quickest ways into a language. This guide gives you the Yoruba words for common foods, fruits, vegetables and ingredients, plus short sentences you can use at home, at a market or in a restaurant. Tone marks are included; regional variants exist, so you may hear slightly different forms. If the symbols are new, start with the alphabet and tone-mark guide.
Staples and Ingredients
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| rice | ìrẹsì |
| yam | iṣu |
| beans | ẹ̀wà |
| maize, corn | àgbàdo |
| cassava | gbaguda |
| bread | búrẹ́dì |
| egg | ẹyin |
| meat | ẹran |
| fish | ẹja |
| soup, stew | ọbẹ̀ |
| palm oil | epo pupa |
| salt | iyọ̀ |
| pepper | ata |
| tomato | tòmátì |
| onion | àlùbọ́sà |
| water | omi |
Fruits
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| orange | ọsàn |
| banana, plantain | ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ |
| mango | mángòrò |
| coconut | àgbọn |
| groundnut, peanut | ẹ̀pà |
Useful Sentences
- Mo fẹ́ jẹ ìrẹsì. I want to eat rice.
- Mo fẹ́ mu omi. I want to drink water.
- Ọbẹ̀ yìí dùn. This soup is delicious.
- Ṣé o ní ata? Do you have pepper?
- Ebi ń pa mí. I am hungry.
From Words to Dishes
Put the vocabulary to work in the kitchen: try amala with ewedu and gbegiri, the 12 classic Yoruba dishes or ata dindin. For the wider picture, read Yoruba food and traditional dishes, and practise shopping phrases in the Lagos and Ibadan street food guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rice in Yoruba?
Ìrẹsì.
How do I say I am hungry?
Ebi ń pa mí.
Where can I find more words?
Use the Learn Yoruba hub and the common words guide.
Featured image: tomato and pepper seller at Bodija Market, Ibadan, photo by Tunde Buremo on Unsplash.
