Yoruba Greetings for Every Time of Day
The Yoruba greetings for morning, afternoon and evening, and the culture of greeting that goes with them.
Greetings are central in Yoruba culture. Greeting properly shows respect.
Time-of-day greetings
| Yoruba | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ẹ kú àárọ̀ | good morning |
| Ẹ kú ọ̀sán | good afternoon |
| Ẹ kú ìrọ̀lẹ́ | good evening |
| Ẹ kú alẹ́ | good night |
| Ó dàbọ̀ | goodbye |
| Ẹ káàbọ̀ | welcome |
The word kú appears in many greetings, and it expresses acknowledgement of what someone is doing or the time they are in.
How are you
- Báwo ni? How are you?
- Mo wà dáadáa. I'm fine.
- Ṣé àlàáfíà ni? Is everything well?
Thanks and sorry
- Ẹ ṣé or Ẹ ṣeun, thank you
- Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, please
- Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, sorry, take it easy
- Má bínú, don't be angry, excuse me
Introductions
- Orúkọ mi ni Tolú. My name is Tolú.
- Kí ni orúkọ yín? What is your name?
Greeting customs
- Greet elders first and with respect.
- Greet with the plural form "ẹ" to show respect.
- Traditionally, men may prostrate (dọ̀bálẹ̀) and women may kneel (ìkúnlẹ̀) when greeting elders, especially at ceremonies.
- Ask about family: greetings often include health and family.
Reply
Greetings are answered with a matching greeting, often with Ẹ ṣé (thank you) or by repeating the greeting.
Tips
- Learn the time-of-day greetings.
- Use ẹ for respect.
- Use the dictionary to check tone marks.
English Yoruba Dictionary
Offline English–Yoruba dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
More about English Yoruba Dictionary
Days of the Week in Yoruba
The Yoruba names for the seven days, and a note on the older four-day week.
Read article →Reading Tone Marks: When They Appear and When They Are Dropped
How Yoruba tone marks work in writing, and how to read a text where some or all of them are missing.
Read article →Respect in Yoruba: The Polite Ẹ and Forms of Address
How Yoruba uses plural pronouns for respect, and the titles and kinship terms used to address others.
Read article →Yoruba Pronouns and the Absence of Gender
The Yoruba personal pronouns, their short and long forms, and the fact that Yoruba does not distinguish he from she.
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