Master Everyday Yoruba: Words, Phrases & Tips for Real-Life Conversations

In Nigeria, Yoruba is one of the most widely spoken languages and ethnic groups in West Africa. As a result of the transatlantic slave trade, it is also spoken by the diaspora worldwide, particularly in the Americas, and in adjacent countries such as Togo and Benin.
Yoruba is a member of the Volta-Niger branch and is a member of the Niger-Congo language family. This language is frequently considered a language of communication, culture, religion, and tradition, and it has a rich cultural heritage. A language spoken by over 20 million native speakers, Yoruba is one of the most widely spoken in Africa.
Key Features:
- Tonal Language: Yoruba is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch or tone used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. There are three primary tones: high, mid, and low.
- Alphabet: The Yoruba alphabet is based on the Latin script, with a few additional characters like "ṣ" (sh), "ẹ" (e), and "ọ" (o) to represent specific sounds.
- Grammar: Yoruba has a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, like English. It also has a system of noun classes, which affects the way words change depending on their role in a sentence.
- Pronouns: Yoruba pronouns are not gendered, unlike English. For example, "ọ̀rẹ́" means "friend" for both males and females.
- Cultural Significance: The Yoruba language plays a central role in the religion, music, and oral traditions of the Yoruba people. It is used in traditional rituals, poetry (such as "ewi"), and storytelling, often through proverbs and chants.
Learning Yoruba opens a window into the vibrant culture, history, and art forms of the Yoruba people.