Yoruba is one of the great languages of West Africa and one of the most influential on the entire continent. With over 45 million native speakers, primarily in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, Yoruba is the language of a people whose civilization has profoundly shaped the history of Africa and the world. From the kingdoms of Ifè and Oyo to Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé, Yoruba influence radiates across every continent.
Learning Yoruba means diving into a cultural universe of extraordinary richness: a fascinating mythology with the orishas, world-renowned sculptural art, vibrant music (from Fela Kuti to Burna Boy), and a dynamic diaspora present in Brazil, Cuba, the United States, and Europe. This guide will accompany you step by step on this linguistic journey.
Why Learn Yoruba?
A Major Language of Nigeria and Africa
Yoruba is, along with Hausa and Igbo, one of the three great languages of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. It is the dominant language of southwestern Nigeria, in states such as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Kwara. Lagos, a megacity of over 20 million inhabitants and Nigeria's economic capital, is a predominantly Yoruba city.
A Worldwide Cultural Influence
Yoruba civilization has exerted an unparalleled cultural influence through the Atlantic slave trade. Yoruba people taken to Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, and Trinidad transmitted their language, religion, and traditions. Today:
- Candomblé in Brazil and Santería in Cuba are religions directly derived from Yoruba spirituality
- Yoruba is still spoken in certain communities in Brazil (especially in Bahia)
- Yoruba words have entered Brazilian Portuguese and Cuban Spanish
- igba (mid-mid tone) = calabash
- ìgbá (low-high tone) = garden
- igbá (mid-high tone) = 200
- gb: a single consonant (labial-velar), not "g" + "b". Pronounce both simultaneously.
- ṣ: pronounced like "sh" in English
- p: pronounced "kp" (voiceless labial-velar), similar to gb but voiceless
- e: a closed vowel, like "ay" in "day"
- ẹ: an open vowel, like "e" in "bed"
- o: a closed vowel, like "o" in "go"
- ọ: an open vowel, like "aw" in "law"
- Nasal vowels also exist: an, ẹn, in, ọn, un
- Mo ra ìwé = I bought a book (Mo = I, ra = buy, ìwé = book)
- Adé jẹ oúnjẹ = Adé eats food
- Mo lọ = I went → Mi ò lọ = I didn't go
- Ó dára = It's good → Kò dára = It's not good
- Master greetings (essential in Yoruba culture!)
- Learn the three tones by listening and repeating
- Study pronouns and basic verbal markers
- Explore essential Yoruba vocabulary on Targumi
- Listen to Yoruba music (Fela Kuti, King Sunny Adé) Weeks 5-8: Building
- Learn verbal markers (past, present, future, negative)
- Practice simple dialogues: at the market, introductions, family
- Study the vigesimal number system
- Watch Nollywood films in Yoruba with subtitles Weeks 9-12: Immersion
- Listen to Yoruba podcasts daily
- Join online Yoruba communities
- Read simple texts in Yoruba
- Practice with a native tutor on Targumi
- Try holding a 5-minute conversation entirely in Yoruba
- Certified native tutors from Nigeria and Benin
- Small group classes (3-6 students) for collaborative dynamics
- Private lessons adapted to your level and goals
- A mobile app with exercises and vocabulary
- A cultural approach integrating orisha mythology, music, and Yoruba art
An Exceptional Artistic Heritage
The Ifè bronzes, dating from the 12th century, are considered masterpieces of world art. The Yoruba artistic tradition — sculpture, textiles (adire), music (talking drums), dance — is alive and constantly evolving.
A Dynamic Diaspora
The Yoruba diaspora is particularly significant in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Learning Yoruba connects you to this vibrant global community.
Yoruba: A Fascinating Tonal Language
Yoruba belongs to the Niger-Congo language family, specifically the Benue-Congo group. It is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch of the voice changes the meaning of words.
The Three Tones of Yoruba
Yoruba uses three main tones:
| Tone |
| Example |
| ------ |
| --------- |
| High |
| ó |
| Mid |
| o |
| Low |
| ò |
| Yoruba |
| Context |
| -------- |
| --------- |
| Ẹ kú àárọ̀ |
| Morning greeting |
| Ẹ kú ọ̀sán |
| Afternoon greeting |
| Ẹ kú irọ́lẹ́ |
| Evening greeting |
| Ẹ kú alẹ́ |
| Before sleeping |
| Ẹ kú iṣẹ́ |
| When someone is working |
| Ẹ kú oúnjẹ |
| When someone is eating |
| Ó dàbọ̀ |
| When leaving |
| Ẹ kú àbọ̀ |
| When someone returns |
| Yoruba |
| -------- |
| Ẹ ṣé / O ṣé |
| Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀ |
| Kò tọ́pẹ́ |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ni |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀kọ́ |
| Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ |
| Má bínú |
| Orúkọ mi ni... |
| Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? |
| Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ Yorùbá |
| Mi ò gbọ́ |
| Ṣe é lè tún sọ? |
| Number |
| -------- |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 9 |
| 10 |
| Pronoun |
| Object |
| --------- |
| -------- |
| I |
| mi |
| You |
| ọ / ẹ |
| He/She |
| (i)rẹ̀ |
| We |
| wa |
| You (pl.) |
| yín |
| They |
| wọn |
| Marker |
| Example |
| -------- |
| --------- |
| (none) |
| Mo lọ = I went |
| ń |
| Mo ń lọ = I am going |
| á / yóò |
| Mo á lọ = I will go |
| ti |
| Mo ti lọ = I have already gone |
| máa |
| Mo máa ń lọ = I usually go |
Negation
Negation in Yoruba is formed with kò (short form) or kì í (long form):
Resources and Learning Method
Your 12-Week Journey
Weeks 1-4: FoundationsSpecific Tips
1. Tones are the key. Invest time in active listening from the very beginning. 2. Yoruba greetings are an art form. Master them perfectly. 3. The gb sound is the hardest for English speakers. Practice regularly. 4. The vigesimal system (base 20) for numbers requires some adjustment. 5. Music is your best ally for internalizing tones.
Why Choose Targumi for Yoruba?
At Targumi, we offer Yoruba courses with:
Yoruba is more than a language — it is a living civilization that has left its mark on the entire world. Every word you learn brings you closer to this extraordinary culture and to millions of people across the globe.
Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀! (Thank you very much!)---
Article written by Adéolá Adéyemí, certified Yoruba tutor and Targumi collaborator. At Targumi, we make learning Yoruba accessible to everyone.