Looking for practical NKo to Yoruba phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Yoruba translation (Yoruba) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Yoruba.
Tip: pick five Yoruba phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Yoruba translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Bawo(bawoh)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
O seun(oh shayoon)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
E kaaro(eh kah-roh)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
E kaasan(eh kah-sahn)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
E kuurole(eh koo-roh-leh)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
O daaro(oh dah-roh)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
A ri e laipe(ah ree eh lie-peh)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
O dabọ(oh dah-boh)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Kí ni orukọ rẹ?(kee nee oh-roo-koh reh)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Orukọ mi ni John(oh-roo-koh mee nee John)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Bawo ni?(bawoh nee)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Inu mi dun lati pade e(ee-noo mee doon lah-tee pah-deh eh)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ṣe o n sọ Gẹ́gẹ́?(Sheh oh n saw Geh-geh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Mi ò sọ Hindi dáadáa(Mee oh saw Hindi dah-dah)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Mi ò ye mi(Mee oh yeh mee)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Jọwọ sọ ní kíkankíkan(Joh-wah saw nee keen-kay-kahn)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ṣe o le sọ é lẹ́ẹ̀kan síi?(Sheh oh leh saw eh leh-eh-kahn see)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nibo ni baluwe wa?(Nee-boh nee bah-loo-weh wah)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Báwo ni mo ṣe lọ sí àárín ìlú?(Bah-woh nee moh sheh law see ah-ree-nee loo)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yí si apa osi(Yee see ah-pah oh-shee)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yí si apa otun(Yee see ah-pah oh-toon)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Lọ taara(Law tah-rah)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Elo ni owo ọkọ?(Eh-loh nee oh-woh oh-koh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ticket kan, jọwọ(Tee-ket kahn, joh-wah)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ṣe ó jìnà síbí?(Sheh oh jee-nah see-bee)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Mo ti sọnù(Moh tee sohn-oo)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nibo ni mo ti le ra kaadi SIM?(Nee-boh nee moh tee leh rah kah-dee SIM)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bẹẹni
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Rara
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bóyá
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Mo gba
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Mo kọ
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Iyẹn dára
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Kí ni ìrònú rẹ?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ṣé o lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Mo nílò ìrànlọ́wọ́
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Dákẹ́ díẹ̀
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Mo bínú
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kò sí ìṣòro
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ẹ kú àṣeyọrí
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ẹ kú ọjọ́ ibi
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ṣe ìrìn àjò tó ààbò
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Nibo ni ibudo ọkọ oju-irin wa?(Nibo ni ibudo ọkọ oju-irin wa?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Nibo ni ibudo bosi wa?(Nibo ni ibudo bosi wa?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ibo ni pẹpẹ naa?(Ibo ni pẹpẹ naa?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Iwo wo ni o fi n lọ?(Iwo wo ni o fi n lọ?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ṣe eyi ni ọna to tọ?(Ṣe eyi ni ọna to tọ?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
O sunmọ ibi yi(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
O jinna si ibi yi(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ṣe o le fihan mi lori maapu?(Ṣe o le fihan mi lori maapu?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Duro nibi, jọwọ(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Bawo ni igba wo ni o gba?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Elo ni eyi?(elo ni eyi)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Eyi jẹ́ gbowó púpọ̀(eyi je gbowo pupo)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ṣe o ni nkan tó rọrùn?(se o ni nkan to rorun)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ṣe mo le sanwo pẹ̀lú kaadi?(se mo le sanwo pelu kaadi)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Mo fẹ́ tábìlì fún méjì(mo fe tabili fun meji)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Iwe isanwo, jọwọ(iwe isanwo jowo)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ṣe iṣẹ́ wa nínú?(se ise wa ninu)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Mo jẹ́ onjẹ ẹfọ(mo je onje efo)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kò sí onjẹ tó ní ìkà, jọwọ(ko si onje to ni ika jowo)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Eyi dára(eyi dara)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ṣe mo le ní àtòjọ onjẹ?(se mo le ni atojo onje)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Gilaasi omi, jọwọ(gilaasi omi jowo)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Pe iroyin ọlọpa(pe iroyin olopa)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Pe ambulance(pe ambulance)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Mo nilo dokita(mo nilo dokita)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Mo n ni irora(mo n ni irora)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Mo ni àkúnya sí ẹ̀fọ́(mo ni akunya si efo)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Nibo ni ile-iwosan to sunmo?(nibo ni ile-iwosan to sunmo)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
O n dun nibi(o n dun nibi)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Mo padanu iwe irinna mi(mo padanu iwe irinna mi)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Se o le pe hotẹẹli mi?(se o le pe hoteeli mi)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
I ranlọwọ!(i ranlọwọ)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Inu mi dun lati pade e(Inu mi dun lati pade e)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Jẹ ki a ṣe ipade(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Iwo, wo ni akoko ti o ba mu?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Mo maa fi iroyin ranṣẹ loni(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Se a le ba ara wa sọrọ ni ọla?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Jọwọ ri faili ti a so mọ́(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
O seun fun akoko rẹ(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Mo n reti lati ṣiṣẹ pẹlu rẹ(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Se o le ṣalaye aaye yẹn?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Jẹ ki n pada sọrọ si ọ(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Akoko ipari ni Friday(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.