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Hello in Yoruba: How to Greet Correctly in Yoruba

According to Wikipedia, The Yoruba people are an ethnic group that inhabits western Africa, mainly Nigeria, Benin, Togo and part of Ghana. The Yoruba constitute around 47 million people worldwide.

Want to learn how to say hello in Yoruba? Then you’re just on the right page. Read on.

First, bear in mind that there is no single generally-agreed-upon translation for the word “hello” in Yoruba language. However, since the word “hello” is used as a form of greeting, I’ll teach you a number of different ways to greet people in Yoruba that have the same meaning as “hello”.

The following greetings can be used at any time of the day to greet someone “hello” in Yoruba language:

E nle o. (To sound more respectful to elderly people, say “E nle ma” or “E nle sir” depending on the gender).
E pele o. (For elderly people, say “E pele ma” or “E pele sir”).
E rora o. (For elderly people, say “E rora ma” or “E rora sir”).
E ku ishe o (most appropriate for greeting someone who is busy with something). To elders, say “E ku ishe ma” or “E ku ishe sir”.
E ku ikale o (most appropriate for greeting someone who’s sitting down or relaxed). To elders, say “E ku ikale ma” or “E ku ikale sir”.

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The following greetings are used specifically at certain times of the day to greet people in Yoruba language:

E kaaro o — meaning good morning (Say “E kaaro ma/sir” to elders).
E kaasan o — meaning good afternoon (Say “E kaasan ma” to elders).
E ku irole o — meaning good evening — used between 4pm and 7pm (say “E ku irole ma/sir” to elders).
E kaale o — meaning good evening — used at night time, after 7pm onwards (say “E kaale ma/sir” to elders).

I hope this helps. If you have any question or contributions, share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

YORUBA FOR BEGINNERS

Greetings in Yoruba

Good Morning / Ekaaro or Ekuojumo

How are you? Fine, thank you or I’m fine. / Se daadaa ni? Or Salaafia ni? E se adupe or alafia ni o.

Good afternon / Ekaasan

Good Evening / Ekuirole

( We say ekaale from 7pm)

Goodnight / Odaaro or odaro o

Have a nice sleep / Orun re lao sun

Welcome / Eku ile (if you’re coming from outside, you say eku ile to someone at home)

Ekaabo ( if you’re home, you say ekaabo to someone who’s just arriving)

How is Work? / Bawo nise? Or ise n ko?

How is family? / Ile nko? Ebi n ko?

How is your wife? / Iyawo re n ko?

How is husband? / Oko re n ko?

How is everything? / Bawo ni n nkan?

Come and eat! / Wa jeun!

Thank you! / Ese a gbabire o!

Well done! / Eku ise!

Congratulations! /

Eku orire o!

Happy Birthday! /

Eku ayeye ojo ibi o!

I’m sick, I’m not feeling well / Ara mi o ya, ara mi o le

Get well soon! / E ma fara le o, kara o le o

Safe journey! / Alo re, abo re o!

Yooba rewa! / Yoruba is beautiful!

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