This Yoruba glossary collects 47 essential words that appear again and again on Ilẹ̀ Abínibí, grouped by topic so you can learn them in sets. Bookmark it as a quick reference. Tone marks and underdots are included because they change meaning; if you are new to them, read the Yoruba alphabet and tone guide first. Spellings and word choice can differ between dialects.
Greetings and Politeness
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Ẹ káàárọ̀ | Good morning |
| Ẹ káàsán | Good afternoon |
| Ẹ kúùrọ̀lẹ́ | Good evening |
| Ẹ ṣé | Thank you |
| Ẹ jọ̀ọ́ | Please |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni | Yes |
| Rárá | No |
Family and People
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Ọmọ | Child |
| Ìyá | Mother |
| Bàbá | Father |
| Ọkọ | Husband |
| Ìyàwó | Wife or bride |
| Ọ̀rẹ́ | Friend |
| Àgbà | Elder |
| Ọba | King |
| Ìbejì | Twins |
More relatives are in our list of family members in Yoruba.
Time and Numbers
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Ọjọ́ | Day |
| Oṣù | Month |
| Ọdún | Year |
| Òní | Today |
| Ọ̀la | Tomorrow |
| Mélòó | How many |
Learn the counting system in Yoruba numbers 1 to 100 and the calendar in Yoruba months of the year.
Food and Daily Life
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Oúnjẹ | Food |
| Omi | Water |
| Ata | Pepper |
| Ẹ̀wà | Beans |
| Iyán | Pounded yam |
| Ilé | House or home |
| Ọjà | Market |
| Ìwé | Book or letter |
| Ilé-ìwé | School |
Food words come to life in our Yoruba recipes.
Culture, Art and Belief
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Orúkọ | Name |
| Òwe | Proverb |
| Oríkì | Praise poetry |
| Orin | Song |
| Ìlù | Drum |
| Ijó | Dance |
| Aṣọ | Cloth or clothing |
| Aṣọ òkè | Handwoven cloth (aso oke) |
| Òrìṣà | Deity or divinity |
| Ifá | The system of divination and wisdom |
Feelings and Qualities
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Ìfẹ́ | Love |
| Ayọ̀ | Joy |
| Ọlá | Honour, wealth |
| Ẹwà | Beauty |
| Ọgbọ́n | Wisdom |
| Ìgboyà | Courage |
How to Use This Glossary
- Learn one table a day and say each word aloud.
- Write short sentences with two or three words from the list.
- Test yourself with our Yoruba language quiz.
- Add new words you meet to a notebook, with their tone marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words do I need to speak basic Yoruba?
A few hundred common words and a handful of sentence patterns are enough for simple conversation.
Why do some words have two spellings?
Regional dialects and different writing conventions lead to small differences.
Next, try common Yoruba words for beginners and the Learn Yoruba hub.
