Want to start speaking Yoruba but not sure where to begin? This 30-day Yoruba study plan breaks learning into four weeks with small daily goals. It is designed for complete beginners and needs about 15 to 20 minutes a day. You will not be fluent after a month, but you will have a strong base: the sounds, key phrases, numbers and simple sentences.
Before You Start
- Set aside a regular time each day.
- Keep a notebook for new words and tones.
- Say everything aloud and try to practise with a Yoruba speaker if you can.
Week 1 (Days 1 to 7): Sounds and Greetings
- Days 1 to 2: learn the letters and special characters in the Yoruba alphabet.
- Days 3 to 4: practise the three tones and read about why tone marks matter.
- Days 5 to 7: learn greetings from Yoruba greetings and say them to someone each day.
Week 2 (Days 8 to 14): Numbers, Time and Everyday Words
- Days 8 to 10: learn Yoruba numbers up to 20.
- Days 11 to 12: learn days of the week and months.
- Days 13 to 14: learn 20 words from common Yoruba words.
Week 3 (Days 15 to 21): Pronouns and Simple Sentences
- Days 15 to 17: learn the pronouns in Yoruba pronouns and basic sentence structure.
- Days 18 to 19: build five sentences with the verbs you know.
- Days 20 to 21: practise questions and negatives.
Week 4 (Days 22 to 30): Phrases, Culture and Conversation
- Days 22 to 24: learn phrases from essential Yoruba phrases.
- Days 25 to 27: read a few Yoruba proverbs and learn their meanings.
- Days 28 to 30: have a short conversation with a Yoruba speaker and record what you learned.
Tips to Stay Consistent
- Review old words every few days, not just new ones.
- Listen to Yoruba songs and speech; see our guide to Yoruba music.
- Learn through culture, such as Yoruba culture and values.
Keep Going After 30 Days
Follow our full roadmap in how to learn Yoruba, and read about the language’s future in is the Yoruba language in danger? For general background, see Wikipedia’s Yoruba language page.
Learn Yoruba in 30 Days FAQs
Can I learn Yoruba in 30 days?
You can learn the basics, such as greetings, numbers and simple sentences, but fluency takes longer.
How much time should I study each day?
Fifteen to twenty minutes of focused daily practice is enough to start.
What is the hardest part of learning Yoruba?
Most beginners find tones the hardest, so listening and speaking practice is important.
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