Ẹ káàbọ̀ (welcome)
Learn Yoruba
Yoruba is musical and expressive, and it is full of proverbs and warmth. Listen first, then speak, and enjoy the rhythm of it.
1. Start free
Free lessons with audio and tips written for diaspora learners.
- US Foreign Service Institute Yoruba courses, basic and intermediate, free to download
- Free Language Yoruba lessons, free audio courses and textbooks
3. Learn words and sounds
Hear the tones, then say them.
- Forvo, native speakers pronouncing Yoruba words
- Omniglot, the alphabet with audio, plus phrases and numbers
- More free ways to practice
Try your first words
Say them out loud. Even a small effort is warmly received.
Ẹ káàbọ̀
Welcome
Ẹ kú àárọ̀
Good morning
Ẹ ṣé
Thank you
Jọ̀wọ́
Please
Ó dàbọ̀
Goodbye
Did you know?
Yoruba uses three tones, shown with accent marks over the vowels. Listening to native speakers is the fastest way to catch them.
At the pharmacy counter or in the lab
- Greet first with Ẹ kú àárọ̀ (good morning), then Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ (sorry for your trouble) to someone who is unwell.
- Ask how a name is pronounced, and listen to it on Forvo.
- Use a qualified medical interpreter for counseling, consent, and medication instructions. More for pharmacists and scientists
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