The Yoruba language is undoubtedly one of the most popular African and Nigerian language in the world. It is spoken primarily by the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria and in some parts of the world, namely Cuba where it is referred to as Anagó and Lucumí.
The Yoruba ethnic group are a tribe that prioritize respect for the elderly and respect for all, and as such, often reflects deep in the way the Yoruba people greet themselves. If you have ever had an opportunity to live around Yoruba people as a non-Yoruba individual, chances are that you probably would have noticed how unbelievable the Yoruba people greet themselves in a day and even you.
The Yoruba culture runs very deep and the people are undoubtedly the most hospitable people in Nigeria. We shall reflect on the culture of the Yoruba people in another post but let’s focus on the subject at hand.
In this post, we have carefully compiled a list of Yoruba greeting words, how to pronounce them (for non-Yoruba speakers) and when to use these greetings. It is important that you use these greetings at the right because you don’t want to sound weird and funny around native Yoruba speakers.
Important:
Firstly, you must understand that the Yoruba people are a highly cultural and respectful people. A mishap in your sentence structure or poor choice of words can imply you are rude and disrespectful, even if that was never your intention. So you want to be sure you deploy the right words when engaging a native speaker, most importantly, during greeting.
Rules:
- You should always start your greetings with “ẹ” (pronounced “eh” like you’d want to pronounce “heir” but leaving out the “r”) if the person you intend to greet is older than you or more than one person at a time (say two or more people without having to greet them one after the other). You could also use this if you just want to come off as polite and respectful even if they are your age mate.
- You should go straight to the greeting and not start with “ẹ” if the recipient of the greeting is your age mate or younger than you.
Time-specific Yoruba greetings: These Yoruba greetings are used only specific times of the day such as morning, afternoon or at night:
- Kaaro/Ẹ kaaro – Means “Good morning”. Kaaro should only be used if you are greeting someone your age or one you know you are older than while Ẹ kaaro should only be used when greeting elders. You could also go further by greeting “Ẹ kaaro sa (sir)” or “Ẹ kaaro ma” when greeting elders or older people.
- Kaasan/Ẹ kaasan – Means “Good afternoon”. Kaasan should only be used if you are greeting someone your age or one you know you are older than while Ẹ kaasan should only be used when greeting elders. You could also go further by greeting “Ẹ kaasan sa (sir)” or “Ẹ kaasan ma” when greeting elders or older people.
- Ku irole/ Ẹ ku iro le – Means “Good evening”. Ku iro le should only be used if you are greeting someone your age or one you know you are older than while Ẹ ku iro le should only be used when greeting elders. You could also go further by greeting “Ẹ ku iro le sa (sir)” or “Ẹ ku irole ma” when greeting elders or older people.
- Kaale/Ẹ kaale – Means “Good night”. Kaale should only be used if you are greeting someone your age or one you know you are older than while Ẹ kaale should only be used when greeting elders. You could also go further by greeting “Ẹ kaale sa (sir)” or “Ẹ kaale ma” when greeting elders or older people.
Non-time specific Yoruba greetings: These Yoruba greetings can be used at any time of day but when people are engaged or working:
- Kaabo/Ẹ kaabo – Means “Welcome”. Kaabo should only be used if you are greeting someone your age or one you know you are older than while Ẹ kaabo should only be used when greeting elders. You could also go further by greeting “Ẹ kaabo sa (sir)” or “Ẹ kaabo ma” when greeting elders or older people.
- Nle/Ẹ nle – Means “Well done” or “hello”.
- Pele/Ẹ pele – Means “Sorry” and could also mean “Well done”.
- Ku ijoko/Ẹ ku ijoko – A greeting usually used when people are seated or gathered.
- Ku ise/Ẹ ku ise – A greeting usually used when people are busy or working.
- Ku ikale/Ẹ ku ikale – A greeting that is usually used when people are seated or in attendance at an event or function.
- Rora/Ẹ rora – Means “careful” or “watch your steps”.
- Bawo ni? – Means “how are you?”. Be careful though as this greeting should be directed to someone your age or someone younger. It should not be used towards an older or elderly person as it would be considered disrespect.
Greetings in Yoruba Language and their Meanings
Below are Yoruba words commonly used for greetings and their meanings:
| Yoruba Greetings | Meaning |
| Nle/Ẹ nle | Hello |
| Kaaro/Ẹ kaaro | Good morning |
| Kaasan/Ẹ kaasan | Good afternoon |
| Ku irole/Ẹ ku irole | Good evening |
| Kaale/Ẹ kaale | Good night |
| Odaaro | Good night |
| Odabo | Good bye |
| Bawo ni? | How are you? |
| Rora/Ẹ rora | Careful, watch your steps |
| Pele/Ẹ pele | Sorry, well done |
| Ku ise/Ẹ ku ise | Well done |
Other Yoruba Greetings
Usually, Yoruba people have greetings practically for every event or circumstance. For example, there is a greeting for discomfort, cold, heat, fine weather, etc., the list is endless. However, most of these greetings are not included in the general Yoruba language greeting catalogue as they are mostly circumstantial. To achieve this, “eku” is prefixed and added to literary any Yoruba word to form a greeting. “Eku” in the phrase becomes an adjective qualifying a noun. Where “eku” is used, it is assumed you accord respect to the other person, supposedly the listener out of respect for their age or acknowledge they are older. Where “ku” is used, it is assumed the listener is your age mate or younger. Below are some examples of such greetings:
- Ku ijoko/Eku ijoko – Means “well done for your patience while seated”.
- Ku oru/Eku oru – Means “well done for enduring the heat”.
- Ku otutu/Eku otutu – Means “well done for enduring the cold”.
- Ku ise/Eku ise – “Means well done for the hard work”.