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The game

Path — speak your way home

A new eastbound line each run. Construct a sentence at every city. The clock only bites when you miss. Paris · Warsaw · Moscow · Kathmandu · Bangkok.

🔥 Good evening — your Yoruba path

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A ~5-minute daily loop that keeps Yoruba alive. Start anywhere.

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Build a sentence you've never seen

You already know two Yoruba words. Can you construct a brand-new sentence from them?

I wantquiero
coffeecafé
So how would you say “I want coffee.”?
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The LanguagePath Method™

Reason it out — don't cram it in

You won't memorize phrases. You'll construct real sentences, then listen and rebuild them. Every step reuses what you already built — so the language compounds.

1 · UNDERSTANDGet one piece of the language.
2 · CONSTRUCTBuild a sentence you've never seen.
3 · SAYSay it out loud before you reveal.
4 · HEARListen and compare with the target.
5 · REBUILDReuse those pieces in the next sentence.
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You're not always starting from zero

Every language you already know hands you free bridges to a new one. Words stick on first contact when you spot the connection.

English — information
French — informations
Spanish — información
Portuguese — informação
Add the languages you already speak in the 🌐 Hub → Settings — then tap ✨ Bridge on any phrase to surface the real cognates and shared roots that make new words click.

Real sentences you'll learn to build in Yoruba

Build real sentences from pieces you already know. Tap any phrase to hear it — then you'll build them yourself.

What you'll learn in Yoruba

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Each lesson builds on the last, reusing what you already know. Tap a lesson to jump in.

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Frequently asked questions

Is LanguagePath free?

Yes, every lesson, course and tool is free to use, with no account or sign-up. Two things are optional and paid: LanguagePath Pro ($4.99 a month or $29 a year), which removes ads and adds extra AI practice, and printable Travel Phrase Pack PDFs ($9 per city, or $19 for all 8). Advertising only loads after you consent — the site stays fully usable if you reject it.

Do I need an account?

No. Your progress is saved in your own browser's local storage. Nothing is uploaded to a server.

How is LanguagePath different?

You don't memorize phrases — you reason them out. The teacher gives you a piece, you build real sentences yourself, say them aloud, then reveal and check. Every step reuses what you already built.

Which languages can I learn?

Nine flagship courses (Mandarin, Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Telugu, Farsi) plus dozens more in the picker. Each Path rolls a new eastbound line of cities from languages you can practise here.

What is Path?

Path is LanguagePath’s race: construct a sentence at each city. Misses cost days; a clean build costs nothing. The eighty-day clock is the rule, not the title. Explore → Path, or tap Play Path above.

🧠 How this works

Yoruba — Yoruba is built the reason-it-out way: you learn the pieces, then construct real sentences yourself. It starts with everyday, useful sentences.

The 3 rules of the method

🗣️ Say everything out loud. Silent reading doesn't build speech. Speak before you reveal.
⏸️ Always pause and try first. When you hit a challenge, actually work it out — getting it slightly wrong is how it sticks. Then tap Reveal.
🔁 Don't fear forgetting. Everything comes back through use in later steps. Keep moving; understanding beats memorizing.

Your course (≈10 min each)

Do roughly one a day. They build in order — each lesson reuses the last.

Planning a trip to Lagos, Nigeria?

Learning Yoruba for a trip? Use the phrases from this course on the ground, and sort the rest here.

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🎧 Lessons

Tap to begin. Speak each answer aloud before revealing.

🔁 Spaced recall

Your daily warm-up. Sentences you've built come back at growing gaps — but don't recall them from memory. Rebuild each one from its pieces, every time; that's what makes them permanent. Read the English, work it out aloud, then reveal.

🧩 Build

The real test of the method: brand-new sentences you've never seen, made only from words and structures you've already learned. You can't recall these — you have to construct them. That's fluency in miniature.

👂 Listening drills

Real conversations hit your ear with no subtitles. Here you only hear the language — work out the meaning, then reveal. This trains the skill you'll actually use in real conversations.

🗣️ Shadowing

A powerful way to develop more natural rhythm and pronunciation: hear a line and repeat it immediately, copying the rhythm and melody — not translating. 10–15 focused minutes beats an hour of tired mimicry.

✚ Chunk builder

Heard a useful phrase out in the world? Capture it here. Every chunk you save joins your Recall, Listen, Shadow and Quiz automatically — so it actually sticks.

📺 Resources & daily plan

Free listening you can understand and enjoy — the comprehensible-input piece. Mix these with your lessons.

💬 Real conversations

Full exchanges you'll actually have, start to finish. Tap 🔊 on any line, or play the whole conversation. Try covering the English and reading the other language aloud.

🎯 Quiz

Test yourself across everything you've learned. Multiple-choice both ways, plus a typing challenge. You need 80% to call a set solid.

🤖 Conversation partner

The practice no drill gives you: a real back-and-forth. Chat with an AI partner that stays at a beginner level and gently corrects you — a powerful way to turn what you've learned into speech.

🌍 Culture & etiquette

Speaking well is half of it — these unwritten rules will make locals warm to you instantly.

🗂️ Pocket phrases

Grab-and-go reference for real situations — greetings, numbers, emergencies that you just need ready. Search or filter, tap 🔊.

🔊 Sounds

Quick grammar

🌐 Hub

Your command centre — progress across every language, one daily plan, a single review that spans them all, and a phrase explorer that shows how your languages connect.

Learning Yoruba: a practical guide

This is a written companion to the free Yoruba course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.

What Yoruba is like

Yoruba is a tone language: the pitch you use changes the meaning of a word, so ọ̀kan (one) and the same syllable at a different pitch are different words entirely. Word order is subject – verb – object and is very consistent: mo fẹ́ omi = I want water. Numbers follow the noun (kọfí méjì = two coffees). Many everyday words are borrowings you already know — kọfí (coffee), tíì (tea), búrẹ́dì (bread).

Words you may already know

🇬🇧 English. Yoruba is a tone language, like Chinese: the pitch of a syllable carries meaning, not just its letters. Learn the melody as you learn the word. You also already know some Yoruba words — kọfí is coffee, tíì is tea, búrẹ́dì is bread, all borrowed from English. 📍 Nigeria. Yoruba is one of the great languages of West Africa, spoken by tens of millions. Greet with ẹ káàbọ̀ (welcome) and ẹ ṣé (thank you) and you'll be warmly received.

Pronunciation notes

Yoruba is a tone language — the same syllable can carry different meanings depending on the pitch. Master these sounds and the tune, and you can read almost any word.

First phrases

The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.

YorubaPronunciationMeaning
Ẹ káàbọ̀eh-KAH-bawwelcome
Ẹ káàrọ́eh-KAH-rawgood morning
Ẹ káàsáneh-KAH-sahngood afternoon
Ẹ káalẹ́eh-KAH-lehgood evening
Bawo ni?BAH-wah neeHow are you?
Ó dàbọ̀aw-DAH-bawgoodbye
Orúkọ mi ni Alexaw-ROO-kaw mee nee AlexMy name is...
Ẹ ṣéeh-SHEHthank you
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́eh-JAW-wawplease
Bẹ́ẹ̀ niBEH-eh neeyes
Ó dáraaw DAH-rahOK / it's good
ọ̀kanAW-kahn1
èjìEH-jee2
ẹ̀taEH-tah3
márùn-únMAH-run-oon5
mẹ́wàáMEH-wah-ah10
omiaw-meewater
búrẹ́dìBOO-reh-deebread
kọfíkaw-FEEcoffee
tíìTEEtea
oúnjẹOON-jehfood
Ó dùnaw DOONit's delicious
Ibo ni...?EE-boh neeWhere is...?
Sọ́tùnSAW-toonto the right
Sí òsìSEE aw-SEEto the left
Níwájúnee-WAH-joostraight ahead
Ọjàaw-JAHmarket
Kí ni?KEE neewhat?
Ẹló ni?eh-LAW neehow much is it?
Ṣé...?SHEHis it...? (yes/no)

How the Yoruba course is structured

The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:

  1. Greetings & being polite — ẹ káàbọ̀ · bawo ni · ẹ ṣé · ẹ jọ̀wọ́
  2. Numbers 1–10 — ọ̀kan · èjì · ẹ̀ta · mẹ́wàá
  3. I want" — mo fẹ́ — mo fẹ́ · fẹ́
  4. Food & drink — omi · búrẹ́dì · kọfí · tíì
  5. Getting around — ibo ni · sọ́tùn · sí òsì · níwájú
  6. Questions — kí ni · ṣé · ẹló ni · ta ni
  7. Family & people — ìdílé · ìyá · bàbá · ọ̀rẹ́
  8. Time, days & weather — lónìí · lọ́la · ojú ọjọ́
  9. Your name — orúkọ mi ni · kí ni orúkọ rẹ
  10. Health & emergency — ègbè · ẹ̀ràn · ilé ìwòsàn
  11. Describing things — dára · ńlá · kékeré · púpọ̀
  12. Tying it together — a capstone scene
  13. Airport & tickets — pápá ọkọ̀ òfurufú · ìwé ìrìnnà · tíkẹ́ẹ̀tì
  14. The taxi — tàksí · lọ · họ́tẹ́ẹ̀lì · dúró
  15. The hotel — ìforúkọsílẹ̀ · yàrá · kọ́kọ́rọ́ · alẹ́
  16. Ask for help — mi ò ye · díẹ̀díẹ̀ · Gẹ̀ẹ́sì

Inside the lessons

Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.

Greetings & being polite

Key pieces: ẹ káàbọ̀ · bawo ni · ẹ ṣé · ẹ jọ̀wọ́

Start with the word you'll use most: ẹ káàbọ̀ — welcome (also used as a warm hello). The ẹ shows respect, so say it to anyone.

To say “Welcome, thank you” in Yoruba: Ẹ káàbọ̀, ẹ ṣé (eh-KAH-baw, eh-SHEH). Built from ẹ káàbọ̀ = welcome; ẹ ṣé = thank you.

Two more essentials: ẹ ṣé (thank you) and ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (please). They get you a long way.

To say “Good morning, how are you?” in Yoruba: Ẹ káàrọ́, bawo ni? (eh-KAH-raw, BAH-wah nee). Built from ẹ káàrọ́ = good morning; bawo ni? = how are you?.

Numbers 1–10

Key pieces: ọ̀kan · èjì · ẹ̀ta · mẹ́wàá

Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat the tune — each has its own pitch pattern: ọ̀kan, èjì, ẹ̀ta .

In Yoruba the number comes after the thing: kọfí méjì = two coffees.

To say “How much is it?” in Yoruba: Ẹló ni? (eh-LAW nee). Built from ẹló ni? = how much is it?.

To say “Two, please” in Yoruba: Méjì, ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (MEH-jee, eh-JAW-waw). Built from méjì = two; ẹ jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “Three coffees, please” in Yoruba: Kọfí mẹ́ta, ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (kaw-FEE MEH-tah, eh-JAW-waw). Built from kọfí = coffee; mẹ́ta = three; ẹ jọ̀wọ́ = please.

I want" — mo fẹ́

Key pieces: mo fẹ́ · fẹ́

The magic phrase to order or ask for anything: mo fẹ́ — I want. Say it then add the thing.

fẹ́ can also mean 'to love'. Context tells you which. For now, think mo fẹ́ = I want.

To say “I want water” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ omi (moh FEH aw-mee). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; omi = water.

To say “I want coffee” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ kọfí (moh FEH kaw-FEE). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; kọfí = coffee.

To say “I want bread, please” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ búrẹ́dì, ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (moh FEH BOO-reh-dee, eh-JAW-waw). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; búrẹ́dì = bread; ẹ jọ̀wọ́ = please.

Food & drink

Key pieces: omi · búrẹ́dì · kọfí · tíì

Eating or drinking? Start with omi (water), then the things you already half-know from English: kọfí (coffee), tíì (tea).

To say “Water and bread, please” in Yoruba: Omi àti búrẹ́dì, ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (aw-mee AH-tee BOO-reh-dee, eh-JAW-waw). Built from omi = water; àti = and; búrẹ́dì = bread; ẹ jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “I want tea” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ tíì (moh FEH TEE). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; tíì = tea.

To say something tastes great: Ó dùn — it is sweet / delicious.

To say “It's delicious!” in Yoruba: Ó dùn! (aw DOON). Built from ó dùn = it's delicious.

Getting around

Key pieces: ibo ni · sọ́tùn · sí òsì · níwájú

The most useful question in any city: ibo ni…? — where is…?

To say “Where is the market?” in Yoruba: Nibo ni ọjà? (nee-BOH nee aw-JAH). Built from nibo ni = where is; ọjà = market.

To say “Where is the house?” in Yoruba: Nibo ni ilé? (nee-BOH nee EE-leh). Built from nibo ni = where is; ilé = house.

Sọ́tùn (right) and sí òsì (left) tell you which way to turn. Straight ahead is níwájú .

To say “Straight ahead, to the right” in Yoruba: Níwájú, sọ́tùn (nee-WAH-joo, SAW-toon). Built from níwájú = straight ahead; sọ́tùn = to the right.

Questions

Key pieces: kí ni · ṣé · ẹló ni · ta ni

The key question word: kí ni? = what is…?

To say “What is this?” in Yoruba: Kí ni èyí? (KEE nee EH-yee). Built from kí ni = what; èyí = this.

Ṣé…? turns a statement into a yes/no question. Ṣé omi wà? = is there water?

To say “Is there water?” in Yoruba: Ṣé omi wà? (SHEH aw-mee wah). Built from ṣé = is it?; omi = water; wà = there is.

To say “Who is this?” in Yoruba: Ta ni èyí? (TAH nee EH-yee). Built from ta ni = who; èyí = this.

Family & people

Key pieces: ìdílé · ìyá · bàbá · ọ̀rẹ́

Family words: ìdílé (family), ìyá (mother), bàbá (father).

To say “I have a friend” in Yoruba: Mo ní ọ̀rẹ́ (moh NEE aw-REH). Built from mo = I; ní = have; ọ̀rẹ́ = friend.

mo ní = I have. It's the verb for anything you've got.

To say “I have a family” in Yoruba: Mo ní ìdílé (moh NEE ee-DEE-leh). Built from mo = I; ní = have; ìdílé = family.

To say “Where is mother?” in Yoruba: Nibo ni ìyá? (nee-BOH nee ee-YAH). Built from nibo ni = where is; ìyá = mother.

Time, days & weather

Key pieces: lónìí · lọ́la · ojú ọjọ́

Today is lónìí , tomorrow is lọ́la .

To say “Today and tomorrow” in Yoruba: Lónìí àti lọ́la (loh-NEE-ee AH-tee LAW-lah). Built from lónìí = today; àti = and; lọ́la = tomorrow.

Ask about the weather with ojú ọjọ́ — 'the weather'.

To say “The weather is good” in Yoruba: Ojú ọjọ́ dára (aw-JOO aw-JAW DAH-rah). Built from ojú ọjọ́ = the weather; dára = is good.

Your name

Key pieces: orúkọ mi ni · kí ni orúkọ rẹ

Introduce yourself: Orúkọ mi ni… = my name is…

To say “My name is Alex” in Yoruba: Orúkọ mi ni Alex (aw-ROO-kaw mee nee Alex). Built from orúkọ = name; mi = my; ni = is; Alex = your name.

To ask someone's name: Kí ni orúkọ rẹ?

To say “What's your name?” in Yoruba: Kí ni orúkọ rẹ? (KEE nee aw-ROO-kaw reh). Built from kí ni = what; orúkọ = name; rẹ = your.

Pleased to meet you: Ó dùn láti bá ọ pàdé — it is sweet to meet you.

To say “Nice to meet you” in Yoruba: Ó dùn láti bá ọ pàdé (aw DOON LAH-tee bah aw pah-DEH). Built from ó dùn = it's sweet; láti bá ọ pàdé = to meet you.

Health & emergency

Key pieces: ègbè · ẹ̀ràn · ilé ìwòsàn

The most important words if something goes wrong: ègbè! (help!), ẹ̀ràn! (fire!).

To say “Help!” in Yoruba: Ègbè! (EH-gbeh). Built from ègbè = help.

To say “I need help” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ ìrànlọ́wọ́ (moh FEH ee-rahn-LAW-waw). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; ìrànlọ́wọ́ = help.

To say “Fire!” in Yoruba: Ẹ̀ràn! (EH-rahn). Built from ẹ̀ràn = fire.

To say “I don't understand” in Yoruba: Kò yé mi (KOH yeh mee). Built from kò = not; yé mi = it is clear to me.

Describing things

Key pieces: dára · ńlá · kékeré · púpọ̀

Adjectives are easy to add: dára (good / beautiful), ńlá (big), kékeré (small).

To say “Very good” in Yoruba: Dára púpọ̀ (DAH-rah POO-paw). Built from dára = good; púpọ̀ = very.

To say “The water is cold” in Yoruba: Omi tútù (aw-mee TOO-too). Built from omi = water; tútù = cold.

To say “A big house” in Yoruba: Ilé ńlá (EE-leh EN-lah). Built from ilé = house; ńlá = big.

Tying it together

Key pieces: a capstone scene

Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've already met. Build each line yourself before revealing it.

To say “Welcome, how are you?” in Yoruba: Ẹ káàbọ̀, bawo ni? (eh-KAH-baw, BAH-wah nee). Built from ẹ káàbọ̀ = welcome; bawo ni? = how are you?.

To say “I want water, please” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ omi, ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (moh FEH aw-mee, eh-JAW-waw). Built from mo fẹ́ = I want; omi = water; ẹ jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “Where is the market?” in Yoruba: Nibo ni ọjà? (nee-BOH nee aw-JAH). Built from nibo ni = where is; ọjà = market.

To say “How much is it?” in Yoruba: Ẹló ni? (eh-LAW nee). Built from ẹló ni? = how much is it?.

Airport & tickets

Key pieces: pápá ọkọ̀ òfurufú · ìwé ìrìnnà · tíkẹ́ẹ̀tì

You have landed. The building is the pápá ọkọ̀ òfurufú . Your document is a ìwé ìrìnnà .

To say “Where is the airport?” in Yoruba: Pápá ọkọ̀ òfurufú wà níbo? (PAH-pah AW-kaw oh-foo-roo-FOO wah NEE-boh). Built from pápá ọkọ̀ òfurufú = the airport; wà níbo? = where is it?.

To say “Here is my passport” in Yoruba: Èyí ni ìwé ìrìnnà mi (EH-yee nee ee-WAY ee-REEN-nah mee). Built from èyí ni = here is; ìwé ìrìnnà mi = my passport.

To say “A ticket, please” in Yoruba: Tíkẹ́ẹ̀tì kan, jọ̀wọ́ (tee-KEH-tee kahn, JAW-waw). Built from tíkẹ́ẹ̀tì kan = a ticket; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “Where is the gate?” in Yoruba: Ẹnu ọ̀nà wà níbo? (EH-noo AW-nah wah NEE-boh). Built from ẹnu ọ̀nà = the gate; wà níbo? = where is it?.

The taxi

Key pieces: tàksí · lọ · họ́tẹ́ẹ̀lì · dúró

The driver is waiting. tàksí is the word you need. Tell them where to go with mo fẹ́ lọ .

To say “Taxi, please” in Yoruba: Tàksí, jọ̀wọ́ (TAHK-see, JAW-waw). Built from tàksí = taxi; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Yoruba: Mo fẹ́ lọ sí họ́tẹ́ẹ̀lì (moh FEH law see HOH-teh-lee). Built from mo fẹ́ lọ = I want to go; sí họ́tẹ́ẹ̀lì = to the hotel.

To say “Stop here, please” in Yoruba: Dúró níbí, jọ̀wọ́ (DOO-roh nee-BEE, JAW-waw). Built from dúró níbí = stop here; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “How much is it?” in Yoruba: Elo ni? (EH-loh nee). Built from elo ni? = how much is it?.

The hotel

Key pieces: ìforúkọsílẹ̀ · yàrá · kọ́kọ́rọ́ · alẹ́

At the desk: Mo ní ìforúkọsílẹ̀ — I have a reservation.

To say “I have a reservation” in Yoruba: Mo ní ìforúkọsílẹ̀ (moh nee ee-foh-roo-kaw-SEE-leh). Built from mo ní = I have; ìforúkọsílẹ̀ = a reservation.

To say “A room for one night, please” in Yoruba: Yàrá fún alẹ́ kan, jọ̀wọ́ (yah-RAH foon ah-LEH kahn, JAW-waw). Built from yàrá = a room; fún alẹ́ kan = for one night; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “The key, please” in Yoruba: Kọ́kọ́rọ́, jọ̀wọ́ (KAW-kaw-raw, JAW-waw). Built from kọ́kọ́rọ́ = the key; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “Where is my room?” in Yoruba: Yàrá mi wà níbo? (yah-RAH mee wah NEE-boh). Built from yàrá mi = my room; wà níbo? = where is it?.

Ask for help

Key pieces: mi ò ye · díẹ̀díẹ̀ · Gẹ̀ẹ́sì

When the language is too fast: Díẹ̀díẹ̀, jọ̀wọ́ — slower, please.

To say “I don't understand” in Yoruba: Mi ò ye (mee oh yeh). Built from mi ò = I don't; ye = understand.

To say “Slower, please” in Yoruba: Díẹ̀díẹ̀, jọ̀wọ́ (dee-EH-dee-EH, JAW-waw). Built from díẹ̀díẹ̀ = slower; jọ̀wọ́ = please.

To say “Can you help me?” in Yoruba: Ṣé o lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́? (sheh oh leh rahn mee LAW-waw). Built from ṣé o lè = can you; ràn mí lọ́wọ́ = help me.

To say “Do you speak English?” in Yoruba: Ṣé o ń sọ Gẹ̀ẹ́sì? (sheh oh n saw GEH-see). Built from ṣé o ń sọ = do you speak; Gẹ̀ẹ́sì = English.

Common mistakes and things to watch out for

Culture and etiquette

Tone changes the meaning

Yoruba is a tone language, so the pitch of a syllable can turn one word into a different word entirely. Just like Chinese, the tune is part of the meaning. Listen to the melody and copy it — accuracy in tone is what gets you understood.

Family & the elders

Family is at the heart of Yoruba life, and elders are treated with deep respect. Greet older people first, use the polite form, and a warm greeting is never a small thing. A single ẹ káàbọ̀ (welcome) opens doors.

The honorific ẹ

Yoruba has two forms of "you": ẹ (polite / plural) and o (informal). Use ẹ with elders, strangers and anyone you don't know well. It's baked right into words like ẹ ṣé (thank you) and ẹ jọ̀wọ́ (please).

Say it with music

Tones make Yoruba sound musical. Add nasal vowels (an, ẹn, ọ) and distinctive sounds like gb and ṣ and you get a wonderful rhythm. Don't chase perfection — just keep the tune and you'll be understood.

Food is shared

Meals in Yoruba homes are communal. A typical plate brings together pounded yam (iyán) or a swallow like fufu with a rich soup (ọbẹ̀) and meat or fish, often eaten together by hand. Saying ẹ ṣé for what you're given shows warmth.

Names mean something

Yoruba names often carry a whole sentence of meaning. Ayọ̀ = joy, Àdé = crown, Túndé = a son returns home. When you introduce yourself with "orúkọ mi ni Alex", you're joining a deep and beautiful naming tradition.

Example dialogues

At a café

You: Ẹ káàrọ́! Kọfí, ẹ jọ̀wọ́. (eh-KAH-raw, kaw-FEE, eh-JAW-waw) — Good morning! A coffee, please.

Server: Kọfí tàbí tíì? (kaw-FEE TAH-bee TEE) — Coffee or tea?

You: Kọfí, ẹ ṣé. (kaw-FEE, eh-SHEH) — Coffee, thank you.

You: Ẹló ni? (eh-LAW nee) — How much is it?

Server: Ẹgbẹ̀rún náírà. (eh-GBEH-roon NAH-ee-rah) — One thousand naira.

You: Ẹ ṣé! (eh-SHEH) — Thank you!

Getting around

You: Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ibo ni ọkọ̀? (eh-JAW-waw, EE-boh nee aw-KAW) — Excuse me, where is the bus?

Local: Níwájú, sọ́tùn. (nee-WAH-joo, SAW-toon) — Straight ahead, to the right.

You: Ẹ ṣé. Ẹló ni? (eh-SHEH, eh-LAW nee) — Thank you. How much is it?

Local: Igba náírà. (EEG-bah NAH-ee-rah) — Two hundred naira.

You: Ó dàbọ̀! (aw-DAH-baw) — Goodbye!

At a restaurant

Waiter: Ẹ káàbọ̀! Ṣé ẹ fẹ́ oúnjẹ? (eh-KAH-baw, SHEH eh FEH OON-jeh) — Welcome! Do you want food?

You: Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ẹ ṣé. Mo fẹ́ oúnjẹ. (BEH-eh nee, eh-SHEH. moh FEH OON-jeh) — Yes, thank you. I want food.

Waiter: Kí ni ẹ fẹ́? (KEE nee eh FEH) — What do you want?

You: Mo fẹ́ omi àti búrẹ́dì. (moh FEH aw-mee AH-tee BOO-reh-dee) — I want water and bread.

You: Ó dùn, ẹ ṣé! (aw DOON, eh-SHEH) — It's delicious, thank you!

Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.