Asking questions is one of the fastest ways to start a conversation in a new language. This guide teaches the question words in Yoruba: who, what, where, when, why, how, which and how many. You will see each word in example sentences, learn how yes-or-no questions work and get a short practice set to test yourself.
The Main Yoruba Question Words
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Kí? / Kí ni? | What? |
| Ta ni? | Who? |
| Níbo? / Ibo ni? | Where? |
| Ìgbà wo? / Nígbà wo? | When? |
| Kí ló dé? / Kí ló fà á? | Why? |
| Báwo? | How? |
| Èwo? | Which? |
| Mélòó? / Èló? | How many? / How much? |
Spellings and small forms vary between speakers and regions, so you may hear slightly different versions in Ibadan, Abeokuta or Ekiti. The forms above are widely understood.
Using Each Question Word
Kí: what
- Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? — What is your name?
- Kí ni èyí? — What is this?
- Kí lo fẹ́? — What do you want?
Ta: who
- Ta ni yìí? — Who is this?
- Ta ni olùkọ́ rẹ? — Who is your teacher?
Níbo: where
- Níbo ni o ń gbé? — Where do you live?
- Níbo ni ọjà wà? — Where is the market?
Ìgbà wo: when
- Ìgbà wo ni o máa dé? — When will you arrive?
- Ọjọ́ wo ni ọjọ́ ìbí rẹ? — Which day is your birthday?
Kí ló dé: why
- Kí ló dé tí o fi pẹ́? — Why are you late?
Báwo: how
- Báwo ni? — How are you? (a common greeting)
- Báwo ni mo ṣe lè dé ibẹ̀? — How can I get there?
Èwo: which
- Èwo ni o fẹ́? — Which one do you want?
Mélòó and èló: how many and how much
- Ọmọ mélòó ni o ní? — How many children do you have?
- Èló ni èyí? — How much is this?
- Aago mélòó ni? — What time is it?
Yes-or-No Questions
A simple way to turn a statement into a yes-or-no question is to put ṣé at the start. For example, Ṣé o ti jẹun? means “Have you eaten?” and Ṣé alàáfíà ni? means “Is everything fine?” You can answer with Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni (yes) or Rárá (no). Using ṣé is polite and natural, and it is one of the first patterns learners pick up.
Tips for Asking Questions Politely
- Greet first. Starting a question without a greeting can sound abrupt; see our guide to Yoruba greetings.
- Use the respectful ẹ form with elders and strangers, as explained in how to greet elders.
- Watch your tones. A different tone can change a word’s meaning, so keep the marks in mind.
Practice Questions
Try to translate these into English before checking the answers.
- Ta ni orúkọ rẹ? Hint: replace ta with the word for “what”.
- Níbo ni o ń gbé?
- Èló ni èyí?
- Ṣé o ti jẹun?
Answers: 1. The correct sentence is Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? (What is your name?). 2. Where do you live? 3. How much is this? 4. Have you eaten?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you ask “what is your name” in Yoruba?
Say Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? To be respectful to an elder, say Kí ni orúkọ yín?
How do you ask “how much is it” in Yoruba?
Say Èló ni èyí? It is the phrase you will use most in a market.
Is there a word for “do” or “does” in questions?
Not in the English sense. Yoruba uses the particle ṣé or a question word, and the verb stays the same.
Keep going with pronouns and sentence structure, Yoruba numbers (useful for how much and how many), body parts in Yoruba, visiting a Yoruba home and the Learn Yoruba hub.
