Knowing how to talk about time lets you make plans, greet people correctly and follow conversations. This guide covers the parts of the day, time words such as today and tomorrow, how to ask for the time, and the numbers you need for clock hours. Forms can vary by region, and tone marks are shown for each word. For context on greetings, see Yoruba greetings for morning, afternoon and evening.
Parts of the Day
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| morning | òwúrọ̀ or àárọ̀ |
| afternoon | ọ̀sán |
| evening | ìrọ̀lẹ́ |
| night | alẹ́ |
| midnight | ọ̀gànjọ́ |
Time Words
| English | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| today | òní |
| tomorrow | ọ̀la |
| yesterday | àná |
| now | nísinsin yìí |
| hour | wákàtí |
| minute | ìṣẹ́jú |
| week | ọ̀sẹ̀ |
| month | oṣù |
| year | ọdún |
For the days of the week and months, see Yoruba days of the week and months and months of the year.
Asking and Telling the Time
- Aago mélòó ni? What time is it?
- Aago méjì ni. It is two o’clock.
- Mo máa dé ní ọ̀la. I will arrive tomorrow.
- Ó dé ní òwúrọ̀. He or she arrived in the morning.
Numbers for the Clock
| Hour | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| 1 | ọ̀kan |
| 2 | méjì |
| 3 | mẹ́ta |
| 4 | mẹ́rin |
| 5 | márùn-ún |
| 6 | mẹ́fà |
| 7 | méje |
| 8 | mẹ́jọ |
| 9 | mẹ́sàn-án |
| 10 | mẹ́wàá |
| 11 | mọ́kànlá |
| 12 | méjìlá |
Learn the full range in Yoruba numbers 1 to 100.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ask the time in Yoruba?
Say Aago mélòó ni?
What is tomorrow in Yoruba?
Ọ̀la.
Where do I go next?
Try the Learn Yoruba hub or the 30-day study plan.
Featured image: sunrise over the African savannah, photo by Udara Karunarathna on Unsplash.
