Yoruba has three tones (high, low, mid) plus gliding tones. It's less complex than Vietnamese or Cantonese, but tones are essential, they distinguish words that are spelled identically. For example, 'oko' can mean husband, hoe, or canoe depending on the tone. With a native teacher correcting tones live, your ear adapts progressively. Many of our students master the basic tones within 2 to 3 months.

Is Yoruba useful in Brazil and Cuba?

Yes, it's one of the fascinating peculiarities of Yoruba. Candomblé in Brazil and Santería in Cuba have preserved thousands of Yoruba words in their liturgies and daily practices, even though these communities no longer generally speak the language fluently. For researchers, musicians, or practitioners of these traditions, learning Yoruba opens a unique cultural and spiritual dimension.

Can Afrobeats help with learning Yoruba?

Absolutely. Afrobeats (Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Asake) blends English and Yoruba in varying proportions. Artists like Asake sing almost exclusively in Yoruba, his albums have made the language popular with millions of young people worldwide. Our teachers can build lessons around your favorite artists: lyric decoding, tonal pronunciation, and everyday vocabulary.

Is there a Yoruba community in France?

The Nigerian community in France is estimated at 60,000 people, with a majority of Yoruba. Significant communities are based in Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. On top of that, Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban communities in France practice religions with Yoruba roots. Learning Yoruba in France connects you to several African and Afro-diasporic communities at once.

How long does it take to speak Yoruba fluently?

For a French speaker, count on 10 to 14 months with regular lessons to reach B1. The tones and vowel harmony of Yoruba are the main challenges. The alphabet is Latin (with a few tonal diacritics), which makes reading straightforward. Yoruba grammar is different from French but logical, no grammatical gender, and S-V-O word order just like French.

How much do Yoruba courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: monthly, quarterly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Yoruba courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources

All Yoruba resources

Explore our free tools to progress outside of class.

Yoruba level test

Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes. 30-day learning plan included.

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Yoruba survival kit

A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.

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Yoruba cultural quiz

How well do you know Yoruba culture? Films, music, traditions.

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Yoruba articles

Guides and articles to learn Yoruba.

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Yoruba vocabulary

Essential words and phrases organized by theme.

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Cultural resources

Podcasts, movies, TV shows and music to progress through immersion.

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Guides & articles

Guides to learn Yoruba

Language Guide

How to Say Hello in Yoruba: Complete Guide to Yoruba Greetings

Learn to greet in Yoruba! Master ẹ káàárọ̀, ẹ nlẹ, and traditional Nigerian greetings with tonal pronunciation, time-based expressions, and cultural context.

8 min read→Guide

Learn Yoruba: Complete Beginner's Guide

Complete guide to learning Yoruba, a major African language spoken by over 45 million people in Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Tonal system, alphabet, grammar, essential phrases and method.

9 min read→Guide complet

Learn Yoruba: Complete Beginner's Guide

Discover how to learn Yoruba, a major West African language spoken by over 45 million people. Complete guide with alphabet, tones, grammar, vocabulary, and Yoruba culture.

15 min read→Guide pratique

Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa: Nigeria's Three Great Languages Compared

Comparing Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Three languages, three cultures, one country: a guide to choosing the right Nigerian language.

15 min read→

See all articles→

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Chiara SimonVerified purchase

“When I wrote my first letter in Yoruba, I couldn't sleep, I was so proud.”

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“Yoruba top content. Recommended headset not specified at signup.”

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“Yoruba got me addicted to language learning. Thinking about starting a second one.”

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“After 10 months of Yoruba, I place my Amazon orders directly on the local site. my friends barely recognize me, in a good way.”

Fernando LambertVerified purchase

“Pilot, Yoruba changed my life: my boss assigned me to the international committee thanks to this.”

Anna SuzukiVerified purchase

“After 8 months of Yoruba, I get the memes on local social networks almost instantly. the method works, that's all that matters.”

Yasmine KatoVerified purchase

“Yoruba homework is never boring. Podcasts, videos, interactive games. Variety aids retention.”

Gerard MoreauVerified purchase

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A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio to pronounce correctly, practice with exercises.
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