Enle o (Hello).
Ìkíni Ní Èdè Yòrùbá (Greetings in Yoruba Language)
Today I would like to teach you some greetings in the Yoruba Language.
Grab your pen and paper and let's learn something new!!
Are you excited? Okay, let's dive in!
Respect is very important in the Yoruba culture. When one is greeting an older person, it is necessary to use the honorific pronoun ‘Ẹ’ to show respect. For example, to greet one’s father or mother in the morning, one will say:
Good morning:
Ẹ káàrọ̀ o, bàbá (bàámi) or Ẹ káàrọ̀ o màmá (màámi).
The parent will respond: "Káàrọ̀ o".
A girl may kneel down to show respect, while a boy might prostrate
Good afternoon! Ẹ káàsán! (Greeting an older person / or a group of people)
Good afternoon! Káàsán! (Greeting a younger person or friend)
Good evening! (Early evening) Ẹ kú ìrọ̀lẹ́! (Greeting an older person / or a group of people)
Good evening!(Early evening) Kú ìrọ̀lẹ́! (Greeting a younger person or playmate)
Note: Ìrọ̀lẹ́ is from 4:00p.m. to 6:59p.m.
Good evening! (Late evening) Ẹ kú alẹ́! (Greeting an older person / or a group of people)
Good evening! (Late evening) Kú alẹ́! (Greeting a younger person or friend)
Note: Alẹ́ is from 7:00p.m. to 11:59p.m.
Good night! Ó dàárọ̀! (This has no formal or informal way of using it. It’s a general greeting)
Other forms of greetings:
Ẹ kú àbọ̀ / Kú àbọ̀ (Welcome)
Ẹ kú ilé (a response to Welcome)
Ẹ kú òtútù (a greeting said when the weather is cold)
Ẹ kú ọyẹ́ (a greeting for the Harmattan Season)
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What the video to hear some Yoruba greetings.
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