Negation in Yoruba: How to Say No and Not
The main ways to negate in Yoruba, with examples for verbs, existence and yes or no answers.
Yoruba has several negative words, each with its own use.
Yes and no answers
| Yoruba | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ni | yes |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀kọ́ | no |
| Rárá | no, not at all |
Negating a verb
Place kò (or its short form ò) before the verb:
- Mo jẹun. I eat.
- Mi ò jẹun. I do not eat.
- Ó lọ. He or she went.
- Kò lọ. He or she did not go.
Note that after mo, the negative short form mi ò is used.
Examples
- Mi ò mọ̀. I don't know.
- Kò sí. There isn't, he or she is not here.
- Mi ò fẹ́. I don't want it.
- Wọn kò wá. They did not come.
Habitual negative
For general "never" or "does not usually", use kì í:
- Kì í jẹ ẹran. He or she doesn't eat meat.
Absence with kò sí
Kò sí means "there is not":
- Kò sí omi. There is no water.
- Kò sí ẹnìkan níbí. There is no one here.
Nothing, no one, never
- kò sí nǹkan (there is nothing)
- kò sí ẹni kankan (there is nobody)
- láéláé (never)
Politeness
A flat bẹ́ẹ̀kọ́ can sound abrupt. Add ẹ ṣé (thank you) or ẹ jọ̀ọ́ (please).
Tips
- Learn kò and mi ò.
- Use kò sí for "there isn't".
- Use the dictionary to check negative forms.
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