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
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 | Marking | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | acute accent (´) | ó | he/she |
| Mid | unmarked | o | (neutral) |
| Low | grave accent (`) | ò | pronoun of address |
The tonal system is fundamental in Yoruba. Here is a classic example:
- igba (mid-mid tone) = calabash
- ìgbá (low-high tone) = garden
- igbá (mid-high tone) = 200
Don't be discouraged! Tones are acquired naturally through listening and practice. Yoruba children learn tones at the same time as words, and you can do the same by immersing yourself in the language.
The Yoruba Alphabet
The Yoruba alphabet uses Latin letters with some modifications:
Consonants
b, d, f, g, gb, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, ṣ, t, w, y
Special letters:
- 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
Vowels
a, e, ẹ, i, o, ọ, u
- 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
Essential Phrases in Yoruba
For more on greetings, see How to say hello in Yoruba.
Greetings
Greetings are extremely important in Yoruba culture. They are often adapted to context (time of day, activity, social status).
| Yoruba | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ẹ kú àárọ̀ | Good morning | Morning greeting |
| Ẹ kú ọ̀sán | Good afternoon | Afternoon greeting |
| Ẹ kú irọ́lẹ́ | Good evening | Evening greeting |
| Ẹ kú alẹ́ | Good night | Before sleeping |
| Ẹ kú iṣẹ́ | Well done (work) | When someone is working |
| Ẹ kú oúnjẹ | Enjoy your meal | When someone is eating |
| Ó dàbọ̀ | Goodbye | When leaving |
| Ẹ kú àbọ̀ | Welcome back | When someone returns |
Common Expressions
| Yoruba | English |
|---|---|
| Ẹ ṣé / O ṣé | Thank you (formal / informal) |
| Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀ | Thank you very much |
| Kò tọ́pẹ́ | You're welcome |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ni | Yes |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀kọ́ | No |
| Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ | Please |
| Má bínú | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Orúkọ mi ni... | My name is... |
| Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? | What is your name? |
| Mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ Yorùbá | I love Yoruba |
| Mi ò gbọ́ | I don't understand |
| Ṣe é lè tún sọ? | Can you repeat that? |
Numbers
| Number | Yoruba |
|---|---|
| 1 | oókan / ọ̀kan |
| 2 | eéjì / èjì |
| 3 | ẹẹ́ta / ẹ̀ta |
| 4 | ẹẹ́rin / ẹ̀rin |
| 5 | aárùn-ún / àrún |
| 6 | ẹẹ́fà / ẹ̀fà |
| 7 | eéje / èje |
| 8 | ẹẹ́jọ / ẹ̀jọ |
| 9 | ẹẹ́sàn-án / ẹ̀sán |
| 10 | ẹẹ́wàá / ẹ̀wá |
The traditional Yoruba number system is vigesimal (base 20), making it unique. For example, 15 is said aárùn-ún dín lógún (literally "5 subtracted from 20").
Yoruba Grammar Overview
Word Order
Yoruba follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order:
- Mo ra ìwé = I bought a book (Mo = I, ra = buy, ìwé = book)
- Adé jẹ oúnjẹ = Adé eats food
Personal Pronouns
| Pronoun | Subject | Object |
|---|---|---|
| I | mo | mi |
| You | o | ọ / ẹ |
| He/She | ó | (i)rẹ̀ |
| We | a | wa |
| You (pl.) | ẹ | yín |
| They | wọ́n | wọn |
The Verbal System
Yoruba does not have conjugation in the traditional sense. Tense and aspect are expressed by markers placed before the verb:
| Marker | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (none) | Simple past | Mo lọ = I went |
| ń | Present continuous | Mo ń lọ = I am going |
| á / yóò | Future | Mo á lọ = I will go |
| ti | Perfect | Mo ti lọ = I have already gone |
| máa | Habitual | Mo máa ń lọ = I usually go |
Negation
Negation in Yoruba is formed with kò (short form) or kì í (long form):
- Mo lọ = I went → Mi ò lọ = I didn't go
- Ó dára = It's good → Kò dára = It's not good
Resources and Learning Method
Your 12-Week Journey
Weeks 1-4: Foundations
- 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
Specific Tips
- Tones are the key. Invest time in active listening from the very beginning.
- Yoruba greetings are an art form. Master them perfectly.
- The gb sound is the hardest for English speakers. Practice regularly.
- The vigesimal system (base 20) for numbers requires some adjustment.
- Music is your best ally for internalizing tones.
Why Choose Targumi for Yoruba?
At Targumi, we offer Yoruba courses with:
- 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
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.
Sources and References
- Yoruba — Ethnologue: Yoruba is spoken by over 45 million native speakers. Language family: Niger-Congo, Volta-Congo branch.
- Wikipedia — Yoruba: encyclopedic information on the language, its geographic area and official status.
- Targumi — Learn Yoruba: courses with certified native teachers.
Further Reading
- Learn Yoruba on Targumi — courses with native teachers
- All languages on Targumi — 106 languages taught