d Yorb

L , b b k w y pdn r

Yoruba Language - Use it or lose it

YORB
M N K, M N K, M N S
Know how to READ IT, WRITE IT, SPEAK IT

w Knn

Book One

tne Kej

Second Edition

Alfbt

The Alphabet

Fonlj

Phonology

Mflj

Morphology

Fn

For

gb jmka Yorb gby

Yoruba Readers Club International

Lti w

By

Adbsl nbj nym

MB. BS., DA., FRCPC MTS

r wj
w y j w kk knn ti d Yorb. A k lti ran
akk alkbr lw lti n m t jinl nn k d
n. r ohn ni p d Yorb. e ptk pp lti foj
s ppe r b ti t ti b ti y lti br. A e w y
gg b w kni n n t akk y fi ma k Yorb
kk lemlem pl wn nkan t dun-j. A fi orr
t wrn t a so ohn r m y r kkan, pl ti
gblhn r e pjwe ppe r. y e ptk pp lti l
m n k, m n k, m n s.

Foreword
This book is a Yoruba language primer. It is written to help the
beginning student acquire a basic knowledge in learning the
language. The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba language. It is very
important to pay attention to proper pronunciation right from the
outset. This book is designed primarily as a tone drill manual using
familiar objects to acquaint the student with Yoruba pronunciation.
A pictorial format with sound clips attached to every word, phrase
and sentence is used to demonstrate pronunciation. This is vital in
order to be able to become proficient in writing, reading and
speaking.

kys
t t a l fn kk r in w y ny:
A fi w brhn k wn r ti d Gs. w
dd ni a l fn d Yorb fi n gb t a b
fi w pupa, w ew tb w ar tka s wn
slcb olhn k, rn tb sl n s-n-tl.

Note:

The convention used for writing the text in this book is as follows:
The English text is rendered in brown, Yoruba text
is in black except where color coded red, green or
blue to indicate syllables with high, mid or low
tones respectively.

Fi orr w k Yorb
Learn Yoruba in Multicolor

kn - Contents

Oj w Page

Alfbt

Alphabet

Fonlj

Phonology

Mflj

Morphology

10

t wrn I
Fwl rnmp

Pictorial I
Oral Vowels

13

t wrn II
Fwl rnmp

Pictorial II
Oral Vowels

21

t wrn III
Fwl rnmp

Pictorial III
Nasalized Vowels

29

t wrn IV
Knsnt

Pictorial IV
Consonants

33

wn Btn Slb

Syllable Patterns

35

Slb rnmp
Syllabic Nasal
Mm Nn

38

t wrn V
wn Slb

40

Ee Oo Ss

Pictorial V
Syllables
-

44

ky

Comprehension

48

kjp r

Word List

65

lfbt
AB

re

Yorb

YO

Alphabet

Aa

Bb

Dd

Ee

Ff

Gg

GB gb

Hh

Ii

Jj

Kk

Ll

Mm Nn

Oo

Pp

Rr

Tt

Uu

Ss

Ww Yy

Page 1

Oj-w Knn

lfbt

Alphabet

Yorb

yt lrn lfbt Yorb ti ti Gs

Differences between Yoruba and English Alphabets

Compared with English, there is no

B a b fi w d Gs, k s

Cc Qq

Vv

Xx

but Yoruba has

gbn Yorb n

GB gb

re

Oral vowels

Nasalized vowels

mje

Fwl rnmp

mrn-n

Ksnt

Yoruba Language has

d Yorb n
Fwl rnmp

Zz

18

Consonants

mjdnlgn

The English language has

d Gs n
Fwl

mrn-n

Ksnt

21

mknllgn

Page 2

Vowels
Consonants

Oj-w Kej

lfbt

Yorb

Alphabet

ln fn ppe lfbt Yorb

Yoruba Alphabet Pronunciation Guide

as in

Add

D
Bee

Deep

G
Fee

GB *

Give

Jeep

pronounced
together

She

Reed

FOOd

Tea

Egg

Hit

kp

Or

Me

P*

Eight (8)

Lee

Diagraph pronounced
together

Key

Oh

Will

Is

N
Need

S
See

Y
Yield

* Fets ohn m bl.

Listen to the voice of a native speaker.

d
Page 3

re

m
Oj-w Kta

Fwl

Yorb

Vowels

wn Fwl Yorb
Yoruba Vowels
There are two groups of vowels

Or kjp fwl mj

in Yoruba.

ni w n d Yorb.

1. Oral (Non-nasalized) vowels

1. Fwl rnmp

2. Nasalised vowels

2. Fwl rnmp

1. Fwl rnmp - Oral vowels

Aa Ee

Ii

Oo Uu

2. Fwl rnmp - Nasalised vowels

*AN an

Page 4

N n

IN in

*N n UN un

kys:
Note:

* AN and N ma dn bkann.
AN and N sound the same.

kys:
Note:

K s EN tb ON nn r Yorb jml.
There is no EN or ON in standard Yoruba vocabulary.

Oj-w Krin

Ksnt

YORB

Consonants

wn Ksnt Yorb
Yoruba Consonants

Bb Dd

Ff

Gg

GB gb

Hh

Jj Kk

Ll

Mm

Nn

Pp

Rr Ss

Tt

Ww

Yy

The letters that are usually

wn lt t ma sb

difficult for non-native Yoruba

ro pe fn wn t k

speakers to pronounce are -

e m bl Yorb ni-

GB gb

ti

Pp
and
for example

fn pr
gb
gb
gb
gb
gbgb
gbogbo
gbgb

gb
gb
gb
gb
gbgb
gbogbo
gbgb
Dn wn w

Page 5

to take

to carry
dry

to hear

to forget
all

dry

pa
p
p
papa
pp
pupa
pp

pa
p
p
pp
pp
pupa
pp

to kill

to call
late

field

altar
red

many

Try them
Oj-w Karn-n

Fonlj

Yorb

Phonology

r ohn ni p d Yorb.
The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba language.

r ohn ni p d Yorb.

The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba

r ohn d ni p ni

language. Phonology is the speech

Fonlj. r ohn pil mta

sounds of a language. There are

ni w n d Yorb. wn

three basic tones in Yoruba. They

ni ohn k, rn ti sl.

are the high, middle and low tones.

A fi wn m ohn
mta y tka s wn.
m ohn sl
m ohn k
m ohn rn

Page 6

These three accent marks

are used to indicate them.

(`)

()

()

Grave sign
Acute sign
Mid tone sign

kys

Note

A k sb fi m s
or r olhn rn
fi lkkan ngb t
b y.

We do not usually place accent

marks on words with a mid tone
except in some instances when
necessary.

Oj-w Kf

Fonlj

Yorb

Phonology

r ohn ni p d Yorb.
The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba language.

A fi or w mta ya

We assigned three different colors

wn m ohn r y

to distinguish between these three

st k l rrn fn

tones to make it easy for children

wn md ti alkbr

and beginners alike to notice them.

lti e kys wn. t

We devised this technique and

t a d sl y ni a p n t

called it the Bis Bus Color Coding

Bis Bus Afw-e-ln. (BA)

Scheme (BCS)

Page 7

( )

re

( )

w ar

) ( ) w ew

blue
green

w pupa red

Oj-w Keje

Fonlj

Phonology

Yorb
r ohn

Phonology
Mta nn wn ohn orin

Three of the musical notes of the

t a t lr dr ni a fi

piano are used to simulate the

tka s ddn ohn r.

intonation of words. This has been

wn olk ti akk d

used with good effect by Yoruba

Yorb ti lo fn y fn

teachers and students for many

plp dn.

years.

d:
d
re
m

r:

m:

( )
( ) ()
( )

pr

Example

ow (re-m)

money

(d-d)

trade

w (re-m)

hand

(d-d)

reverence

(re-d)

w (d-m)

flock

w (D-d) a town in Yoruba land

Page 8

broom

kys.

Note.

Llo do-re-mi k i n ep
n gb gbogbo gbn wl
pp fn alkbr.

Utilizing do-re-mi does not

work perfectly all the time, but
it is very useful for the beginner.

Oj-w Kj

Fonlj

Phonology

Yorb
r ohn
Phonology

We do come across other intonation

b wn m ohn mrn

marks in both old and modern day

pd nn wn w Yorb

Yoruba books.

tij ti ti de n.

The main ones are:

wn t e gg ni:
1. m fgn ( ~ )

1. The tilde ( ~ )

A k lo m y m ntor p k
wl. A ti fi llo fwl mj t
kkan n m tir dp ir wn
r b. Fn pr:

rn

l j

This sign is no longer in use because it is not

useful. The use of two vowels, each with its
own intonation mark is now used in such
instances. e.g.:

orn

o--rn

sun

rn

--rn

smell

tb / or

can be

2. m ohn sl ti k pap ( )

2. The low-rising tone ( )

Llo m y k wp m nn won
w Yorb. d mi lj p y ya
wn kw wa lnu lti r m t
e jj y lr ork mi -

This intonation mark is no longer in common use

in Yoruba texts. I am sure it will come as a
surprise for readers of this book to see this
unfamiliar accent mark on my name

nbj, nym
A e y lti m un rrn fn pipe
ork n b ti t by
nbj, nym
Ogunlg nyn ni o ma i ork
n p by
nbj, nym

This is done to facilitate proper pronunciation of

the name as
- re-dm-d-d , re-dm-re-m
Many people mistakenly pronounce the name
like this
- d-m-d- d, d-m-re-m

Npa llo m y, a yra fn llo

fwl mj fn ork n.
A tn lo m ohn y nn w y
fn nb 1
Knn
dp /
Page 9

In using this sign, doubling the vowel for the

name is avoided.
This accent mark is also used in this book for the
number 1
instead of

Kn-n-n
Oj-w Ksn-n

Mflj Yorb Morphology

Mflj Yorb
Yoruba Morphology
t r ni a p n Mflj.
e ptk lti n m t
pye npa t gg y r s
b-b (slb) n d Yorb
ntor p y slb kkan
ni n r ohn tir.

Morphology is the structure of

words. It is important to have a
good knowledge of how a word
is divided into its component parts
(syllable) in Yoruba because each
syllable has its own distinct pitch.

Btn slb pil mta ni a fi

hun r Yorb.

Three basic syllable patterns are used

in forming Yoruba words.

wn ni:

They are:

1. ( F ) Fwl ( V ) Vowel
2. ( KF ) Ksnt + Fwl
3. (M m, N n)

F Fwl
K Knsnt

Page 10

(CV) Consonant + Vowel

Slb rnmp

Syllabic Nasal

V Vowel
C Consonant

Oj-w Kw

Mflj Yorb Morphology

Mflj Yorb
Yoruba Morphology
These are the three different patterns
that occur when words are split into
their component syllables -

wn or btn mta t wy
ngb t a b pn r s b-b
slb ny -

1. ( F ) Fwl ( V ) Vowel
Fwl kan d dr gg bi slb odidi kan
A stand-alone vowel as one complete syllable
pr / Example: a, ,

a ti d
ti d
ti d

We have arrived
You have arrived
He / She has arrived

( KF ) Ksnt + Fwl

2.

(CV) Consonant + Vowel

Ksnt ti fwl pap gg bi slb kan

A consonant and vowel combination as a syllable
pr / Example: b, l, w, l

b
l
w
l
3.

Mo b
M l m
J w sb
M l

I beg you
Dont beat me
Please come here
I am going

M m, N n
gg bi slb kan t k e ara fwl rnmp.
as a syllable that is not part of a nasalized vowel
Abimbl
I am born into honour (AYoruba name)
M l
I am going
Aj Ad gb
Ades dog is barking
gg, ba y The Ostrich, king of birds

Page 11

Oj-w Kknl

Mflj Yorb Morphology

Mflj (t r) Yorb
Yoruba Morphology
wl lti yra e kys b
hhun r pl slb e is
npa wwo wn r onslb
mj. A r btn mj1. F KF

It is instructive to quickly note how

these syllable building blocks work
by illustrating with some bisyllabic
words. Two patterns emerge
V - CV

2. KF KF CV-CV

1. (F - KF)

(V - CV)

Fwl t d dr ti knsnt pl fwl pap

A stand-alone vowel and a consonant-vowel combination

A-d
-l
2.

Crown
Honor

(KF - KF)

(CV - CV)
Ksnt ti fwl pap mj sop
Two consonant and vowel combinations
B-b
F-l

Bb
Fl

Father
Cap

kys

Note

wn r onslb pp ma
n wn btn pil k
y n orr n.

Multisyllabic words have these

basic patterns above in various
combinations.

F Fwl
K Knsnt

Page 12

Ad
l

V
C

Vowel
Consonant

Oj-w Kejl

T WRN LFBT YORB

YORB ALPHABET PICTORIAL
t wrn wn r t br t
s par pl wn fwl kann

Pictorial of words beginning and

ending with the same vowels

Aa Ee Ii Oo Uu
e kys p wn fwl nkan ni
a fi m ohn r s lr.

Note that intonation marks are

placed only on vowels.

fikn lfbt Yorb - Yoruba Alphabet Expanded

Fwli rnmp

Oral vowels

Aa

E e

I i

O o

U u

Ffi r ohn kra lemlem

e ptk lti fi kk r
ohn lemlem s t k
akk alkbr lti br.
rnyn ni j lti fihn
p ro ohn e gg n ss
d Yorb. Nkan t a
lpa ny nnu apkan w
y t tl oj w y.

Page 13

Tone Drill

It is important to incorporate
tone drills into the learning
process for the beginning student
right from the outset. This is
necessary to underscore the
centrality of tonal sounds in
Yoruba discourse. The following
section of this book is designed
to fulfill this purpose.

Oj-w Ktl

k Knn
P

d re m

a-*a

Lesson One
A

Aa

a-j aj dog

-ga ga chair

a-p ap arm

(re-m)

(d-re)

(re-m)

-gb gb barrel

a-ta ata pepper

-r r lightning

(d-m)

(re-re)

(d-m)

I e - Exercise
Read these sentences aloud.
Ka wn gblhn r y sk

Mo n aj kan.
Aj n jk.
Ap s mi ny.

Page 14

I have a dog.
The dog is sitting down.
This is my left arm.
This is a big oil barrel

re

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

j, gb
p, p
Ara, r, Ar

Oj w krnl

k Kej
P

d re m

Lesson Two

e-*e

Ee

E-w ew leaf

E-d e-d shrimp

(re-m)

(re-m)

-re re idol/statue
(d-re)

t k
upper lip

t sl
lower lip

-t

-je je

lip

seven

(d- d)
I e - Exercise
Par wn r y.

Complete these words.

a - *
* - *a

d
K n y?
What is this?

arm
chair
a-* ni
It is a dog
a-* ny This is a dog

re

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

we
Er, r
te,
d

(Five short of twenty)

Page 15

Oj-w Karndnlgn

k Kta
P

d re m

Lesson Three

a-*a

y y f f.
This bird wants to fly.

-s s leg/foot

-y y bird

(re-d)

(re -re)

-d

-j

j
(d-d)

Ork l kan n il
Yorb.
The name of a town in
Yoruba land

blood

j w n ap y.
There is blood on this arm.

a-p ap arm
(re-m)
I e - Exercise
Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

Par wn r y.

Complete these words.

a-*a
-*

m
Page 16

s, ,
y
j

pepper
thunder

re

(Four short of twenty)

Oj-w Krndnlgn

k Krin
P

d re m

I-gi igi Tree

(re-re)

-m m breathing
n n

possession

Lesson Four

i-*i

-j

Ii

I-d (y) Id Eagle

Storm

(d - d)

(re - d)

Jw w sb

I-bi

Ibi

evil

I-b

Ib

here

Please come here

re

I e - Exercise

Par r y

Complete this word

Ed ml ny?
How many shrimps are these?

Ed m*** ni wn.
They are three shrimps.

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

d
r
t
Iy

(Three short of twenty)

Page 17

Oj-w Ktdnlgn

k Karn-n
P

d re m

o-w ow money
(re-m)

Lesson Five

o-*o

o-ko

oko farm

Oo

o-d

(re-re)

od river

(re-d)

j r
It is raining

-j

j
(d- d)

-p

rain

I e - Exercise

p pillar

(d-m)

re

Par gblhn Yorb y.

Complete this Yoruba sentence

d mel ni o l s?
How many languages can you speak ?

Mo l s d m***

I can speak two languages.

Mo gb ynb, mo tn l s Yorb

I understand English, and I can also speak Yorb.

d
Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

w,
k, Ok
j, Ojo
do, Od,
Op, p
(Two short of twenty)

Page 18

Oj-w Kejdnlgn

k Kf
P

d re m

-k k car
(re-d)

Lesson Six

-*

-m m child
(re -re)

-w w hand
(re-m)

-r r word

- decoration

ork l kan n
il Yorb

M-t mt motor

the name of a
town in Yoruba-land

-b

b monkey
(d- re)

I e - Exercise
Par r y.
Complete this word.

Nbo ni b y w?
Where is this monkey

re

d
Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

k, k
w, w,

b n w lr i**
The monkey is on a tree.
(One short of twenty)

Page 19

Oj-w Kkndnlgn

k Keje
P

d re m

Lesson Seven
U

*u-*u

Uu

u k br r n ojlw Yorb
Words do not begin with u in mainstream Yoruba.

d: r: m: f: s: l: t: d:

d re m

...

fa so la ti do

d-d dd black

d-r dr organ

(m -m)

(d d)

k-ru

u-b

kru
short

Par wn r y

money

is in

Tt
Tut

cold

re

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

Complete these words

w n

ub
fall

I e - Exercise

o - *

musical

- *

Kj, Kk
Ff, Ff

hand
(Twenty)

Page 20

Oj-w Ogn

T WRN LFBT YORB

YORB ALPHABET PICTORIAL
t wrn wn r t br t
s par pl wn fwl

Pictorial of words beginning

and ending with the vowels

Aa Ee Ii Oo Uu
n orr n

in different ways

wn r t br t s par pl orsr fwl

Words beginning and ending with different vowels

d re m

(One over twenty)

Page 21

Oj-w Kknllgn

k Kj
P

d re m

, a - *

Lesson Eight

ae iou

Fwl t n m k ( ,,,,,,) k br r n ojlw Yorb

A vowel with a high pitch sound ( ) does not begin words in Yoruba.

-p p bag

-gb gb ram

(d-d)

(d-d)

-gb gb farmer

(d-d)

Ow w nn
p y.
There is money inside
this bag.

a-b

ab

razor

(re-re)

I e - Exercise

(re-m)

Par gblhn y.
Complete this sentence.

Page 22

a-w aw guinea-fowl

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

** ml ny?

How many birds are these?

** m*** ni.

They are seven birds.

re

gbo, Agbo
wo, Awo
Ab
Ap

(Two over twenty)

Oj-w Kejllgn

k Ksn-n
P

d re m

Lesson Nine

, e-* i o u

e-t et ear
(re-m)

-j

j
(d- d)

two

-so

so

fruit

(d-re)

gbdn
w kk yin?
Are you enjoying
your studies?

e-n

en
(re-m)

one

e-ku

eku

rat

(re-re)

I e - Exercise
Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

Par r y
Complete this word

Et ml ni o n?

n, n
j

How many ears do you have?

Et m*** ni mo n.
I have two ears.

Page 23

re

(Three over twenty)

Oj-w Ktllgn

k Kw
P

10

d re m

Lesson Ten

, - * a i u

-j j eight

-ja ja fish

-gb gb necklace

(d-re)

(re -re)

(d-d)

d Yorb k
ro rr.
Yoruba language is
not difficult at all.

-nu

nu

-p

mouth

(re-re)

peanut

(d-d)

I e - Exercise

Par gblhn y.
Complete this sentence.

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

K ni w nn * * * y?
What is in this * * *?

gba
p

* * * ni w nn *** y.

j,

It is money that is in this bag.

Page 24

re

(Four over twenty)

Oj-w Krnllgn

k Kknl
P

d re m

11

Lesson Eleven

, i - * a e o u

i-w w book

-l l drum

-y y feather

(d-m)

(d-d)

(d-m)

-g

bottle

(d-d)
I e - Exercise
Par gblhn Yorb y
Complete this Yoruba sentence

w ml ny?
How many books are these?

w m*** ni wn.

i-l

il
(re-m)

-l

house

line

(d-d)

re

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

l,
Il,
Iwe

They are six books.

Page 25

(Five short of thirty)

Oj-w Karndnlgbn

k Kejl
P

d re m

o-j

12

, o - * e i u

oj

(re-m)

eye

o-l ol mushroom

o-mi

-ye

k i o !

(re-m)

or

omi water

(re-re)

ye
wisdom

-w

o-r

Lesson Twelve

Greetings for
working (hard).

w
thread

head

(re-m)

re

I e - Exercise

Par gblhn y
Complete this sentence

Page 26

Oj w wo ny?

k kel ny?

What page is this?

What lesson is this?

k k***** ni.

Oj w
************** ni.

It is the twelfth lesson.

It is page twenty six.

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

Oy, y
Ow, wu
Or

(Four short of thirty)

Oj-w Krndnlgbn

k Ktl
P

d re m

Lesson Thirteen

, - * a

(Igi) -p p
palm tree

ba

13

ba

-d

d hunter

k kan

twenty thousand cowries

king

road

-b

knife

b ml ny?

I e - Exercise

b mf ni.

Er dt
K lrin

-k

Game Quiz

Sing it

Ll - Solo

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

gb - Refrain
Lj n lj

K n lj?

Has blood, has blood.

What has blood?

Lj n lj

ja lj.

Has blood, has blood.

Fish have blood

Lj n lj

b lj

Has blood, has blood.

p
d, d
k
p,
b
n

The monkey has blood

Page 27

re

(Three short of thirty)

Oj-w Ktdnlgbn

k Krnl
P

d re m

-*-*

-j-p

ld

Lesson Fourteen

-*-*

-p-l

jp
tortoise

-l-d

14

-*-*

-g-d

pl

brain

banana

-d-d

pig

-k-r

dd
flower

Tree

gb - Refrain

K n lj?

Lj n lj

What has blood?

Has blood, has blood.

Igi lj.

K lj

A tree has blood.

Does not have blood

w lj

K lj

A book has blood

Does not have blood

kr

squirel

I e - Exercise

Ll - Solo

gd

re

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

-j-p, -j-p
-p-l
-g-d
-do-do
Book

Page 28

(Two short of thirty)

Oj-w Kejdnlgbn

T WRN LFBT YORB

YORB ALPHABET PICTORIAL

t wrn wn r t
par pl wn fwl
rnmp

Pictorial of words that

end with a nasalised
vowel.

wn Fwl rnmp

Nasalised Vowels

AN an N n IN in N n UN un
n n

N n

N n

N n

N n

AN an

N n

N n

N n

UN un

N n

N n

N n

N n

N n

d re m

(One wo short of thirty)

Page 29

Oj-w Kkndnlgbn

k Kdgn
P

d re m

15

Lesson Fifteen

n n n n un

AN an

-kan kan one

-sn sn orange

-sn sn nine

okan

-fn fn mosquito
(ynmynm)

-bn bn gun
d

I e - Exercise

Ll - Solo

gb - Refrain

K n lj?

Lj n lj

What has blood?

Has blood, has blood.

Ew lj.

K lj

A tree has blood.

Does not have blood

Ow lj

K lj

A book has blood

Does not have blood

a-gbn agbn wasp

re

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

kn, sn
san, fn,
gbn, Agbn,
gbn,
gbn, gbn
(Thirty)

Page 30

Oj-w gbn

k Krndnlgn
P

d re m

16

N IN N

Lesson Sixteen
n in n

IN in

e-yn eyn tooth

-yin yin egg

-in in horse

N n

e-rin

erin elephant

-rin

rin

four

I e - Exercise

-yn

yn that one
w yn that book

Par wn
gblhn y.

Page 31

Complete these
sentences.

K n y?
What is this?

*** ni.
It is a shrimp.

y k?
What of this?

*** ni.
It is a chair.

ti y?
And this?

*** ni.
It is peanuts.

re

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

yin, yn,
sn, sn,

(One over thirty)

Oj-w Kknllgbn

k Ktdnlgn
P

d re m

17

N UN N

Lesson Seventeen
n un n

UN un

-kn kn tiger

o-kn okn rope

-rn

I-kn Ikn
Abdomen
Stomach

I e - Exercise

o-gn ogn twenty

d
Complete these
sentences.

K n y?
What is this?

*** ni.
It is one bottle.

y k?
What of this?

neck

rn ranko y gn.
This animals neck is long.

Par wn
gblhn y.

y k?
What of this?

rn

*** ni.
They are two hands.
*** ni.
They are three
books

re

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

kun, Okun
kn, kn
run
Ogun, gn
Ikn, Ikun

(Two over thirty)

Page 32

Oj-w Kejllgbn

k Kejdnlgn
P

d re m

18

Lesson Eighteen

B D F G GB H J K L

Bb

Dr

Ga

Jb
I e - Exercise

F-l

Gbngbn

Kkr

Lw

K wn r tr t br pl ksnt.
Write your own list of words beginning with a consonant.

Ga - Tall
H - Boiling
Jb - Accident

Page 33

re

(Three over thirty)

Oj-w Ktllgbn

k Kkndnlgn
P

d re m

19

M N P RST WY

Ml

Pupa

Roboto

Sr

kt

Tb

Wr

Yr

I e - Exercise

K wn r tr t br pl ksnt.
Write your own list of words beginning with a consonant.

m
Page 34

Lesson Nineteen

re

(Four over thirty)

Oj w Krnllgbn

WN BTN SLB
SYLLABLE PATTERNS
Gg b a ti ly tl n oj-w
kw, wn btn slb Yorb
pn s or mta by:

As previously explained on page ten, there

are three syllable patterns in Yoruba as
follows:

1. ( F ) Fwl ( V ) Vowel
2. ( KF ) Ksnt + Fwl
3. (M m, N n)

(CV) Consonant + Vowel

Slb rnmp

A tn fi y wa p wl lti yra
e kys b hun r pl slb e
is npa wwo wn r onslb
mj d.
Btn mj s wy -

1. F KF

(Syllabic Nasal)

We also noted that it is instructive to

quickly note how these syllable building
blocks work by illustrating with some
bisyllabic words.
Two patterns emerge V - CV

a. A - d
b. - dn
e kys p fwl br k l j
fwl rnmp.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Note that the starting vowel (F, V)

cannot be a nasalised vowel.

2. KF KF CV-CV

B-b
-gun
Sn-y
Fun-fun

N d Gs, wn fwl mj pr
nnu lfbt ni o tn l j odidi r
t n tum. wn ni a and i .
N d Yorb, gbogbo wn fwl
a, e, , i, o, , u ti an, n, in, n, un
ni tn l d dr np ara wn gg
b odidi r kan ngb pp.

In the English language, only two vowels in the

alphabet can also be a meaningful word. They
are the letters a and i
(as in A boy, I am here)
In Yoruba, ALL the vowels, both oral and
nasalised, may stand alone on their own as
distinct words.

(Five short of forty)

Page 35

Oj-w Karndnlgj

k Ogn

20

Lesson Twenty

P
WON BTN SLB

SYLLABLE PATTERNS

F, KF
WN R ONSILB KAN

V, CV
MONOSYLLABIC WORDS

Mo b y

I rejoice with you.

Mo ti d

I have arrived.

Mo r

I see you.

Mo b

I beg you.

M l m

Dont beat me.

dn m

It hurt me.

Mo ti e tn

I have finished.

K lo w?

What did you say?

I e - Exercise
K wn r onslb kan tr sb.
Write your own list of monosyllabic words here.

(Four short of forty)

Page 36

Oj-w Krndnlgj

k Kknllgn

21

Lesson Twenty-One

P
WON BTN SLB

SYLLABLE PATTERNS

F, KF

V, CV

WN R ONSILB KAN

MONOSYLLABIC WORDS

Parts of the body

O-r

Head

O-j

Eye

Ear

E-t

I-m

-nu

-t

-w

-ka

-d

-s

A-p

-y

A-b

-d

A-ra

E-yn

-yn

A-hn

-fun

-kn

I-tan

-rn

-gbn

I-run

I-kn

-fun

I-an

I e - Exercise

(yw Wo oj-w Kknllgta fn wn dhn d)

(Hint see page 61 for some answers)

K wn y ara n d Gs
Write the parts of the body in English.
Wo wn nb y n.
Look at these numbers too.
En, j, ta, rin, rn,
f, je, j, sn, w

Tm wn r y s Gs
Translate these words to English

r, te,k,p, p,
gbn, Agbn, kan
Ikn, Aya,
(Three short of forty)

Page 37

Oj-w Ktdnlgj

k Kejllgn

22

Lesson Twenty-Two

MN

SYLLABIC NASAL
N y yt s y t j ara
r on slb rnmp.

M, N as a syllable
(syllabic nasal) on its own.
This n is different from the
one that is part of a word with
nasalized syllable

m ti n ma dn bkan n
gg b uhn pl ohn
sl, rn tb k t t s i.

m and n sound the same

like uhn with the corresponding
low, mid or high pitch.

N Yorb de-n, mrn t a fi

ll ni p k a ma lo m dp n
ngb t b w lrn r gbn
ogunlg kw ni o lo m
ngb t ba iwj b pp fn
ork

In modern day Yoruba it has been

recommended to replace m with n when
it occurs within a word, but many
writers still retain its use when it
precedes the consonant b, especially in
names.

M, N gg b i slb
(slb rnmp)

pr
ORK

NAMES

Examples
GBLHN SENTENCE

Abbl - Ab uh bl
Adrel - Ad uh rel

M l

uh

I am going

K s kankan uh uh
KAN

There is nothing.

OBJECT

rob

rouhb

K l w?

uh

What are you looking for?

(Two short of forty)

Page 38

Oj-w Kejdnlgj

k Ktallgn

23

WON BTN SLB

F - KF ,

V -CV

WN R ONSILB MEJI

Lesson Twenty-Three
SYLLABLE PATTERNS

KF - KF , CV -CV
BISYLLABIC WORDS

A-d

Crown

B-b

Father

-l

Honour

B-t

Shoe

-p

Thanks

Re-re

Good

-w

Beauty

D-d

Black

-r

Friend

K-k

Bicycle

-gb

Farmer

J-w

Please

I-gba

Two hundred

-b

Spoon

O-kn

Rope

-gbn

But

I e - Exercise
K wn r onslb mj tr sb.
Write your own list of bisyllabic words here.

(One short of forty)

Page 39

Oj-w Kkndnlgj

k Krnllgn

24

WON BTN SLB

KF-KF

-b bi spoon

b-t bt shoe

I e - Exercise

K ni wn
nkan wnyi?

What are these

things?

Lesson Twenty-Four
SYLLABLE PATTERNS
CV-CV

k-k kk bicycle

f-l

b-b bb father

fl hat

g-l gl head tie

Mo n kk kan
Bb mi l r fn mi.
eun bba.
1. **** ni.
It is a rope.
2. **** ni.
It is (a box of)
eggs.
3**** ni.
It is an orange.

I have a bicycle
My father bought it for me
Thank you dad.

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

Bb
Bt
rob

(Forty)

Page 40

Oj-w Ogj

k Kdgbn
P

25 Lesson Twenty-Five

WON BTN SLB

KF-KF-KF

k-k-r

kkr
key

SYLLABLE PATTERNS

CV-CV-CV

-k-t kt

f-r-s

pants (trousers)

frs
window

k-ke-r kker
small

p-l-b

plb
flat

p-p-y

ppy
duck

ga-ra-wa

garawa
bucket (pail)

I e - Exercise

K l w nn oko y?
What is on this farm?
**** **** ni.
They are three horses.

Tm wn r y s Gs.
Translate these words to English.

Roboto
Rpt

j o r in kta?
Can you see the third horse?

(One over forty)

Page 41

Oj-w Kknllgj

k Krndnlgbn

26

WON BTN SLB

F-F-KF , V-V-CV
WN R ONSILB MTA

F-F-KF , V-V-CV

a-a-go

Lesson Twenty-Six
SYLLABLE PATTERNS
KF-F-KF , CV-V-CV
TRISYLLABIC WORDS

KF-F-KF , CV-V-CV

aago

(agogo) clock

b--l

k--b

bl

ball

kb
welcome

F-F-KF , V-V-CV

o--rn orn sun

KF-KF-F , CV-CV-V

b-l-

bl

F-KF-KF , V-CV-CV

aircraft

-g-tn gtn sheep

(Two over forty)

Page 42

Oj-w Kejllgj

k Ktdnlgbn

27 Lesson Twenty-Seven

WON BTN SLB

SYLLABLE PATTERNS

KF-KF-KF-KF

CV-CV-CV-CV

WN R ONSILB MRIN
TB J B L

WORDS WITH FOUR OR MORE

SYLLABLES

KF-KF-KF

CV-CV-CV-CV

t-l-t-l

la-ba-l-b

k-t-k-t

yn-m-yn-m

turkey

butterfly

donkey

mosquito

F-KF-KF-KF , V-CV-CV-CV

-l-b-s

onion

a-l-p-p motorcycle

WON R ONSLB PP
ADBSL
MLWB
MLB
-L--F-
-M-BO-R-O-W

(F-KF-KF-KF-KF)
(F-KF-KF-KF-KF)
(K-KF-KF-F-KF)
(F-KF-F-KF-F)
(F-KF-KF-KF-F-KF)

F-KF-F-KF , C-CV-C-CV

-g--g

ostrich

MULTISYLLABIC WORDS

The crown has added to our honour

A virtuous child
Peace, Health
A child is more important than money

(Three over forty)

Page 43

Oj-w Ktllgj

e ptk pp lti ma yn wn
lt mta E, O ti S nd pl dt
tb il olr kkr ngb t b
y. e by ni y j k kw
tt m tm t o t s r n.

It is very important to insert a dot or short

vertical bar under the three letters E, O and S
in a word whenever necessary. In doing this,
the correct meaning of the word can be
quickly known by the reader.

ti dt ti il olr kkr ni
kt d Yorb fw s. Ffa il
gbr lb sb wn lt y
ld s fin akt.

Both the dot and short vertical bar are

approved in Yoruba orthography. Using a
dash under these letters is against
orthographic convention.

Llo il olr kkr ni mo frn

j n tmi ntor p:
bj mu n ww lj w
K par t a b fa il sb r.

My preferred method is the short vertical bar

because:
It is aesthetically pleasing on the page
It is not occluded when words are
underlined.

Wo wn pr sly

Look at the examples below.

A r il t a f gedegbe lb il
olr kkr n. K pa r.

The line can be seen distinctly below the

short vertical bar. It has not obstructed it.

Il t a f ti pa dt r.

The dot is cut off by the line

(Four over forty)

Page 44

Oj-w Krnllgj

k Kejdnlgbn

28 Lesson Twenty-Eight

Ee
e

Yoruba is my language.

d is my home-town.

Yorb ni d mi.

(a town in Yoruba land)

d ni l mi.

My lip is swollen

Leprosy is a disease

Erin

rn

The elephant is a big animal.

This laughter is too much.

Ej

It is a poisnous snake.

It is my fault

so

This fruit is very sweet.

This work requires carefulness.

Eb

The farmer has prepared the heap

of earth for planting yams.

I am begging you.

t mi w

sn ni t

ranko l ni erin

rn y pj

Ej olr ni.

j mi ni

Eso y dn pp

I y gba s.

gb ti k eb lti gbin iu.

b ni mo b .

Wo yt lrn E e ti

Observe the difference between E e and

(Five short of fifty)

Page 45

Oj-w Karndnldta

k Kkndnlgbn

29

Lesson Twenty-Nine

o
Ow

Money

Hand

Ow w n w mi.
There is money in my hand.

Rain

j r.

j wo ny?

It is raining.

Oyn

Day

What day is this?

Pregnancy

yn

Pus

Oyn kej ny.

yn w lj egb y.

Oko

This is the second pregnancy.

Farm

There is pus on this sore.

Husband

Oko dk ny.

k dk ny

This Adukes farm.

This is Adukes husband.

Ol

Thief

Lazy (person)

l ni di ol.

A lazy (person) becomes a thief.

Kkr

Insect

Kkr

Key

Wo yt lrn O o ti

Observe the difference between O o and

(Four short of fifty)

Page 46

Oj-w Krndnldta

k gbn

30

Lesson Thirty

S s
s

Leg

Sin

s dn m.

ni ir ppa.

My leg is hurting.

Telling lies is a sin.

Week

Soap

s kan k t.

y dra.

As

One week is not enough.

Quarrel

This soap is good.

Cloth

As k dra.

A y dra

s left

w s mi niy.

K s nb.

Quarelling is not good.

This is my left hand.

feast

This cloth is good

poverty

There is no poverty here.

s gbyw ni.

ni.

It is a wedding feast.

It is an order.

Wo yt lrn S s ti

Observe the difference between S s and

(Three short of fifty)

Page 47

Oj-w Ktdnldta

ky
Comprehension

Nsisiy, sk w t lti lo
wn k t ti k nn w
y lti br n wn oj-w
t tl y.

It is now time to put into practice

what you have learnt in this book so
far in the following pages.

A e yw wn pl,
gblhn r ti kni Yorub.
A pd b mlwb, a
s k npa Bb Sml
jy Crowther ti tn idl
jba l Yourb.

We shall examine phrases, sentences,

Yoruba greetings, meet the
Omoluwabi family and learn about
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and
some basic history of the Yoruba
kingdom.

I y.

Get ready to work.

Ka wn gblhn t a k sl lss.
Read the sentences written down systematically.

(Two short of fifty)

Page 48

Oj-w Kejdnldta

KNI

kni n orr gb ti
fn orr l wp n
Yorb. D nn wn
ny.

GREETINGS

Greetings at various times for various

occasions are very common in Yoruba
culture. Here are some of them.

kr

Good morning.

ksn

Good afternoon.

krl

Good evening.(early)

kal

Good evening. (late)

dr

Good night (till morning).

db

Good bye.

kb

Welcome.

kul

Greetings on meeting you at home.

k tij

Quite an age.

k j mta

Have not seen you in a while.

lf ni?

How are you? (are you in good health?

k nw

Greetings for spending money.

k dde

Greetings for coming.

k fojb

Greetings for seeing a visitor.

k gbdn

Greetings for enjoying yourself.

(One short of fifty)

Page 49

Oj-w Kkndnldta

KNI

GREETINGS

r ti s
- br

Conversation

Q - Question

- s

A - Answer

kr o, Mm Bs

Good morning, Bisis mother.

O o, kr o.

Yes, good morning.

e dada ni?

How are you?

A dp

Thank you.

wn m k?

How are the children

Wn w n lf

They are in good health.

Bal k?

How is your husband ?

lf

Fine.

Nbo ni l?

Where are you going?

M l sj.

I am going to the market.

db o.

Good bye.

O o, db

Yes, good bye

(Is it well with you?)

(Fifty)

Page 50

Oj-w dta

b mlwb
The Omoluwabi Family

gbni Akntnd knb

mlwb

Abilk mlar dk
mlwb

Mr. Akintunde Akanbi Omoluwabi

Mrs. Omolara Aduke Omoluwabi

Miss

lrewj
mboll

Miss

Olwafnmily
Olwaeun

Ol

kb - First born child

Obnrin - Female

Master

Adl
Adym

Ad
bkhn - Last born child

Obnrin - Female

knrin - Male

(One over fifty)

Page 51

Oj-w Kknlldta

b mlwb jk lti j onj r

The Omoluwabi family at breakfast

b mlwb jk lti j
onj r. Brd ti yin
dndn ni wn f j, gbn
iu ti gd ss ni bb y
j n tire.

The Omoluwabi family is sitting down

to eat breakfast. They are going to eat
bread and fried eggs but Dad will be
eating yam and boiled plantain by
himself.
Mom had prepared tea for the children.
She and Dad will be drinking coffee.

y ti po t fn wn m,
kf s ni un ti bba y
mu n tiwn.

One of the kids has spilled milk on the

table. Mom is finding out who did it.

K y wn m lra lti
jk by. Wn f l s
Makidnld lti lo j bg
ti frs ni.

The kids are not too excited sitting

down like this. They prefer to go to
McDonalds to
eat burger and fries.

(Two over fifty)

Page 52

Oj-w Kejlldta

b mlwb j onj r
The Omoluwabi family at breakfast

Bb gbdn onj t a fi t
dgb. K f gbgb gb
we r. Ojoojm ni ma
s fn wn m p: Bg
lr, Bg lsn-n, Bg ll
me o!

Dad likes the types of food he

was brought up with. He does
not want to forget his youth. He
says to the kids everyday Burger in the morning, burger
in the afternoon, burger at
night.What a pity !

(Three over fifty)

Page 53

Oj-w Ktlldta

Abilk mlwb
(Mm l)

Mrs Omoluwabi
(Olas mother)

mlar ni ork r. tn
j dk. Ork ni ork
kej y. m dn mdgbn ni. Bb l ni wn
gb r p e gg b
bl ntor p l ni kb
wn m r.

Her name is Omolara. She also

bears the name Aduke. This
second name is a cognomen.
She is thirty-five years old. His
mates call him Baba Ola as is
the cultural practice because Ola
is his first born child.

Mm l se onj. Onj
sn ny. b ni r.
Omi gbgbn ni fi t
gar t y di b y.

Olas mother is preparing a

meal. This is lunch.
She is preparing eba
She is mixing gaari in hot water
then it becomes eba.

ti se b f sl. fi ja
ti orr ran si. wn
m gbdn onj y
gbn b a b bi wn lr
p wo ni dra j nn b
ti bg, wn pariwo
g wn n
bgbga

She had cooked the vegetable

stew earlier. She put fish and
assorted meat in it. The kids
love this food, but if they are
asked which one is better - eba
or burger- theyll shout
gleefully ... and say burgerr...
burgerr...

Bb y tn wipe Bg
lr, Bg lsn-n, Bg
ll - me o!

Dad will say again Burger in the

morning, burger in the
afternoon, burger at night what a pity !

(Four over fifty)

Page 54

Oj-w Krnlldta

gbni mlwb

Mr. Omoluwabi

(Baba l)

(Olas father)

Akntnd ni ork r.
tn j knb. Ork ni
ork kej y. m dn
mjdnlgj ni. Bb l ni
wn gb r p e gg b
bl ntor p l ni
kb wn m r.

His name is Akintunde. He also

bears the name Akanbi. This sond
name is a cognomen. He is thirtyeight years old. His mates call him
Baba Ola as is the cultural practice
because Ola is his first born child.

I olk ni e. gbdn
w kk ti w kk.

He is a teacher by profession.
He enjoys reading and writing.

Onj t gbdn j ni b
ti b il. tn frn iyn
ti b f. ugbn iyn y
k e ti iu ss t a gn
nn od. Iyn rr ni. Y
j b-b.
K j bg rr

His most favourite food is eba and

okra stew. He also likes pounded
yam and vegetable stew. But this
pounded yam is not the one made
from boiled yam that is pounded in
a mortar with a pestle. It is just
powder stirred in hot water. He eats
it grudgingly.
He does not eat burger at all.

cassava meal

(Five short of sixty)

Page 55

Oj w Karndnlgta

y fin mlwb gb onj.

Mrs. Omoluwabi preparing a meal

Ibi dn

Kitchen

Omi gbgbn Hot water

Omi tutu

Cold water

wrn lti w Abilk Valerie Dmill Onym

Artwork by Mrs Valerie Damilola Onayemi

kk

r afwo

Pot

Dish washer

r Kf Coffee maker r omi Water tap

Ata
Iy

Pepper

r dn

Cooker

Salt

(Four short of sixty)

Page 56

Oj w Krndnlgta

Ola

m dn mw ni l.
ptn ork r ni
lrewj. tn j
mboll. un ni kb
wn b r.

Ola is ten years old

Her full name is Olanrewaju
She is also called Omobolanle.
She is the first child of her
parents.

ir ni frn j n ilw. tn gbdn k m

Sys. jff nn orin
kk ti dr tt. ma
j ij bl ltij, gbn
nsisy er bl
gbjswn ni gbdn
lti ma gba pl wn
lgb r.

Her favorite subject at school

is Arithmetic. She also loves
Science. She is proficient in
music (singing and playing the
piano). She did ballet dancing
in the past but nowadays she
loves playing basketball with
her mates.

Oj w ksn-n

(Three short of sixty)

Page 57

Oj w Ktdnlgta

Ol

Olu

m dn mj ni Ol.
Obnrin ni un n. ptn
ork r ni Olwafnmily.
tn j Olwaeun.

Olu is eight years old

She is also a girl.
Her full name is
Oluwafunmilayo. She is
also called Oluwaseun.

gbdn dr tt ti w
kk. k d Faras ni
frn j. ma b wn
lgb r gb bl or papa
n sm. tn gbdn lti
lw.

She enjoys playing the

piano and reading. French
is her favorite subject. She
plays soccer with her
mates in the summer. She
also likes to swim.

Onj t gbdn j ni dd
ti mn-mn, gbn k fi
bg, kr ynb ti wn
onj mdnmndn ir.

Her favorite food is fried

plantain and steamed bean
cakes, but she does not
joke with burger, cookies
and other junk food.

(Two short of sixty)

Page 58

Oj w Kejdnlgta

Ad
m dn mf ni Ad.
mdknrin ni. ptn
ork r ni
Adl. tn j Adym.
un ni bkhn wn b r.

Ade
Ade is six years old. He is a
boy. His full name is

Adeola. He is also known as

Adeyemi. He is the last child

of his parents.

gbdn er bl or pp
n soma. tn gbdn er
hk or as n wnt.
ma gb bl gbjswn
n.
gbn ju gbogbo r l,
gbdn w kk yl lr
bb ni o tb lr r
knpt.

He enjoys playing soccer in

the summer. He also enjoys

playing ice hockey in the

winter.

He

also

plays

basketball. But above all he

loves reading and writing
either on paper or on the
computer.

w n lti gba br
knrin.

He would love to have a

junior brother.

(One short of sixty)

Page 59

Oj w Kkndnlgta

FAMILY

P
N Yorb, okn t so b p
lgbra pp. Gbogbo b ni a k
s m y ti bb. Ntor n, k
s tum pipe fn gbn tb
br y ti bb ti m wn.
Bb gb, bb kker, y gb,
y kker, gbn ti br ni
gbogbo wn.

In Yoruba culture, the family ties are very

strong such that members of the extended
family are usually regarded as belonging to
the same nuclear family. There is no distinct
translation for uncle, aunt, cousin - but they
are junior or senior father or mother, brother
and sister.

Bb

Father

Obnrin

Female

Mother

knrin

Male

gbn

Older sibling

mdbnrin

Girl

br

Younger sibling

mdknrin

Boy

kb

First born child

dmbnrin

Adolescent female

bkhn

Last born child

dmknrin

Adolescent male

Bb gb

Grand father

na

In-law

y gb

Grand mother

fsn

Fiance

yw

Wife

Husband

(Sixty)

Page 60

Oj w gta

WN Y ARA

PARTS OF THE BODY

Or

Head

Irun

Hair

Oj

Eye

Lip

Et

Ear

gbn

Chin

Im

Nose

jk

Shoulder

nu

Mouth

Chest

rn

Neck

gnp

Elbow

Ap

Arm

Ikn

Abdomen
Stomach

Hand

Itan

Thigh

ka w

Finger

Ornkn

Knee cap

s
Foot

Leg

knn;

Nail

ka s

Toe

(One over sixty)

Page 61

Oj w Kknllgta

BB SML JY CROWTHER

BISHOP SAMUEL AJAYI CROWTHER

Sml jy Crowther j akk kn-n-n n il-k gga Fourah Bay n orld Sr. A b i n l ogn t j bi ibs ml kan s l syn n ap
gus r. wn aknilr j i gb n dn 1821 gbn a gb a sl lhn dn
kan, s di akk n il-w ajhnrere n 1823. j mw t mye pp n
il-kgga (1828) s di lfa n 1843.
Npas i pile r nn rnj r s agbgb od ya (1841) y t ln fn
dsl wn il i ajhnrere n Igbb, n, Lkja, ks, Bn, Abnm ti
Bgm, a yn n s ip Bb Agbedemj l-Orn frk tt kj il jba
babnrin Orl-d Gs n 1864.
tay nn i ajhnrere, gbgbgun ti w r kk, ti i olkni ( tm
w dr s Yorb, s e w grm fn d Yorb, b ti Nup). n m
i wsn ti i il kk. k ip ptk ninu akitiyan b d Yorb e di kk
sl. di olgb n j kn-n-n, n o kejl, dn 1891.
(Il-i al fn kde rhn jba pap, njr) (My Translation)
Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first student of Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, was born at Osogun
a few kilometers south of Iseyin. He was kidnapped by slave traders in 1821, rescued a year later
and became a mission school boy in 1823. He had a brilliant college career (1828) and became a
clergyman (1843).

As a result of his pioneering work in the Niger

expedition (1841) which eventually led to the
founding of

missions in Igbebe, Onitsha, Lokoja,

Akassa, Bonny, Abonema and Buguma, he was

nominated and ordained Bishop of Western Equitorial

Africa beyond the Queens Dominion in 1864.

He distinguished himself in such areas as evangelism,

crusade against slave trade and education (translation of

Prayer Book into Yoruba, authored grammar books for
Yoruba, Ibo and Nupe languages ), medicine and

architecture. He played a vital role in how the Yoruba

language was first reduced to writing. He died on 1st

December 1891.

(Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria)

(Two over sixty)

Page 62

Oj w Kejllgta

JBA ORL-D YORB

YORUBA KINGDOM
wn Yorb ti orl-d wn ti w fn gb pp wj dn 1000 A.D.
(gbrn dn lyn ik Olwa wa), d wn s ti w fn, kr tn, gbrn
dn mj. wn ya nyn mrn t w darap m wn m bl Yorb
lrn dn 700 s 1000 A.D. k orr tuntun ti w w.
B tile j p plp tn dyb ni w npa pil il Yorb, y t tay t
a s gbgb ni y t s p Il-If ni il b wn. Il-If d gg agbra r n
dn 1300 ngb t a fi tnganran e wn i n. gbn n kk par dn
1400, agbra jba r wale, s fi y sl fn ti jba y t w n rw il
Yorb.
Jj ba, sn ti i n e j ptk n bl. y s fd mule n wn
orl-d Karbn ti Brsl nbit a k o l n gb w r n kk grn-n
dn kejdnlgn. ba Adsj Adrm t a b n dn 1889 ni ni
kejdnldta Il-If. jba lrn dn 1930-1981. e akitiyan pp fn
dgbsk bl Yorb.
(My translation)

The Yoruba people and their homeland took shape long before 1000 A.D. and their language
is at least 2000 years old. Between 700 and 1000 A.D. an influx of immigrants merged with
the Yoruba indigenes, injecting into the area new influences and ideas.
Although several traditions concerning the origins of the Yorubas exist, one of the more
commonly held belief is that Ife is their birthplace. Ifes power reached its zenith around
1300 A.D., culminating in the production of the famous Ife bronzes. However, towards the
end of 1400 A.D., its political influence declined making way for the rise of the Oyo
kingdom in Northern Yorubaland.
Kingship, religion and craftsmanship have remained the main
focus of Yoruba culture. Its cultural influence is remarkably
strong in the Caribbean and Brazil where it was exported
during the era of the slave trade in the eighteenth century.
Born in 1889, Oba Adesoji Aderemi (1930-1981) was the
forty-eighth Oni of Ife, who contributed immensely to
Yoruba cultural development
( Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria)
ba Adsj Adrm

(Three over sixty)

Page 63

Oj w Ktllgj

ORK D NN WN ORL-D, PNL TI L

P

NAMES OF SOME COUNTRIES, STATES/PROVINCES AND CITIES/TOWNS

ORL-D
Njr
Knd
Amrk
Kb
Brsl
Trndd ti Tbg
PNL

COUNTRY
Nigeria
Canada
America
Cuba
Brazil
Trinidad & Tobago
PROVINCE / STATE
Georgia
Idaho
Ohio
California
Ontario
Minessota
Michigan
Colorado

Jj
dh
Ohy
Kalifn
tr
Mnst
Mgn
Klrd

L
tw
kg
Wntn
Br
Filadlf
Mlwk
Minipls
Mym
tlt

CITY / TOWN
Ottawa
Chicago
Washington
Barrie
Philadelphia
Milwaukee
Mineapolis
Miami
Atlanta

(Four over of sixty)

Page 64

Oj w Krnllgta

kjp r lt lgbmgb
Vocabulary - in functional groups
r
sn
rl
Al
ru

--r
-sn
-r-l
a-l
-ru

kk
j
Wkt
j
s
O
dn

-k-k
-s-j
w-k-t
o-j
-s
o-
-dn

n
n (n)
la
tnla
jta
jrin
jarn-n

-n
-n (-n)
-la
-tn-la
-j-ta
-j-rin
-ja-rn-n

s t kj
s t b

-s t
k-j
-s t
b

Orn
p
rw
fruf
Ay
run
j

o-- rn
--p
-r-w
-f-ru-f
a-y
-run
-j

morning
afternoon
late
afternoon
evening
(after dark)
night
time
minute
hour
day
week
month
year
yesterday
today
tomorrow
two days
ago
three days
ago
four days
ago
last week
next week
sun
moon
star
sky
earth
heaven
rain

rw
Gs
l-orn
w-orn

-r-w
g--s
-l-o--rn
-w-o-o-rn

north
south
east
west

w
Pupa
Funfun
Dd

-w
pu-pa
fun-fun
d-d

color
red
white
black, dark

Il
Yr
dd
yw
Gbngn
Balw
Ilkn
Frs
giri
j

i-l
y-r
-d-d
-y-w
gbn-gn
ba-l-w
i-l-kn
f-r-s
-gi-ri
-j

house
room
porch, lobby
hall
bedroom
bathroom
door
window
wall
attic

b
b
mga
wo

-b
-b
-m-ga
-wo

Ab

a-b

Ife
kk

i-fe
-k-k

spoon
knife
fork
porcelain
bowl, plate
enamel or
plastic bowl
pan
cup, tumbler
pot

Akk
Olk

a-k-k-
o-l-k

student/pupil
teacher

(Five short of seventy)

Page 65

Oj w Karndnldrin

kjp r lt lgbmgb
Vocabulary - in functional groups
Ebi
gb
Onj
Omi
b
ran
ja

e-bi
--gb
o-n-j
o-mi
-b
e-ran
-ja

hunger
thirst
food
water
stew
meat
fish

Bb
y
gbni
y-fin
Abilk
Omidan
Adlb

b-b
-y
-gb-ni
-y--a-fin
a-bi-l-k
o-mi-dan
a- d-l- b

father
mother
Mr.
Mrs?
Mrs
Miss
Miss?

A
Fl
kt
Bb
r
Gl
Bt
bs
Pt
inm

a-
f-l
-k-t
b-b
-r
g-l
b-t
-b-s
p-t
in-m

cloth,garment
cap
trousers, shorts
tunic, blouse
loin cloth
head-tie
shoe
socks
panties
undergarment,
chemise

Gbn
Tt
Lwr

gb-n
t-t
l-w-r

hot (adj)
cold (adj)
lukewarm

Onl
lej
g
m-i
m-d

o-n-l
-le-j
-g
-m-i-
-m--d

host
guest
master
apprentice
servant

Argb
gb
d
md
we

a-r-gb
-gb
-d
-m-d
-we

elderly person
elder
adolescent, youth,
child
youth, young
folks, children,
childhood
man
woman
male
female

br
dhn
s
k

-b--r
-d-hn
-s
-k

Il

i-l

question
answer
reply
top, hill,
mountain
ground

br
pin
Iwj
yn (hn)
I
Er

-b-r
-pin
i-w-j
-yn (-hn)
i-se;
e-r

beginning
end
front
back
work
play

knrin
Obnrin
Ak
Abo

-kn-rin
o-bn-rin
a-k
a-bo

okanlldta
(Four short of seventy)

Page 66

Oj w Krndnldrin

kj r - Onrur
Vocabulary - Miscellaneous
y
Agbra
gbr
gby
moye
kjp
kk
kk
m
fn

wrn
wn
wn
y
Aya
y
Ay

--y
a-gb-ra
-gb-r
-gb-y
--mo-ye
-k-j-p
-k-k
-k-k
-m
--f-n
-
-
-
-w-rn
-wn
-wn
-y
a-ya
-y
a-y

living
power
torrent
world
countless
collection
time
first
sign
benefit
habit, custom
hawk (bird)
order
picture
net
they
chest
wife
space
world

dp
ln
Il-wsn
Il
m
mrn
ran

-d-p
-l-n
i-l--w-sn
i-l
-m
-m-rn
-ran

rk

-r-k

e
I
ro
tm
yt

-e
i-
-s-ro
-t-m
-y-t

Kkiri
Kw
Kw
K

k--ki-ri
k-w
k-w
k

Dra
Dkt
Dp

d-ra
d-k-t
d-p

good
doctor
to thank

k
gb
gb

-k
-gb
-gb

lesson
association
side

K
K
M
M
M

k
k
m
m
m

everywhere
read
write
to learn,to
teach
to refuse
write
clean
to know
to mould

Gg
Gidigidi
Gbynj

g-g
gi-di-gi-di
gb-yn-j

accordingly
very much
to try

dl

-d-l

a place abroad

Ojoojm
Ohn
Oldar
Ogunlg
r
r
n
n

o-jo-o-j-m
o-hn
o-l-da-r
o-gun-l-g
-r
-r
-n
-n

everyday
voice
director
very many
word
wealth
road
art

ptk

p-t-k

important

Page 67

thanksgiving
procedure
hospital
floor, ground
knowledge
advice
generations,
sight
African teak
tree
custom, habit
work
difficulty
meaning
difference

(Three short of seventy)

Oj w Ktdnldrin

APPENDIX 1
wn dhn r Yoruba
Yoruba Word List Answers
Page 14

Aj
j
gb
p
p
Ara
r
Ar

Page 17

A-j
-j
-gb
-p
-p
A-ra
-r,
A-r

Dog
Attic
Adult
Scar
Prodigal
Body
Fashion
Relation

Page 15

we
Er
r
te
d

-d
I-b
I-bi
-r
-gb
-t

Reason
Place
Evil
Dew
Wave
Beam

-w
-k
O-k
-j
O-jo
-do
O-d
O-p
-p

Trade
Stone
Penis
A name
Coward
Zero
Mortar
Widow
Bother

-k
-k
-k
-k
-w
-w
-w

Vehicle
Husband
Hoe
Spear
Respect
Broom
Flock

Page 18

-we
E-r
-r
-te
-d

Youth
Play
Profit
Intention
Language

Page 16

j
s
y

d
Ib
Ibi
r
gb
t

w
k
Ok
j
Ojo
do
Od
Op
p
Page 19

-j
-s
-y

Vow
Verse
High esteem

k
k
k
k
w
w
w

kys: wn r ml kan n tm t ju kan l. kan pr ni a tka s nb.

Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.

wn dhn r Yoruba
Yoruba Word List Answers
Page 20

Kk
Kk
Kj,
Ff,

Page 25

K-k
K-k
K-j
F-f

Rather
A name
Dull
Cassava meal

Page 22

gbo
Agbo
wo
Awo
Ab
Ap

-gbo
A-gbo
-wo
A-wo
A-b
A-p

Concoction
Circle
Plate
Cult

Town
Drum
Line
Okro

Oy
y
Ow
wu
Or

O-y
-y
O-w
-wu
O-r

Title
Harmattan
Envy
A town
Head

-p
-d
-n

Gratitude
Dunce
Art

-j-p
-p-l
-g-d
-do-do

Turtle
Toad
Incantation
Truth

Sheath
Page 27

-n
-n
-j

Today
Over-measure
Gap between

p
d
n

teeth

Page 24

gba
p

-l
-l
-l
I-l

Page 26

Page 23

n
n
j

l,
l
l
Il

Page 28

-gba
-p

-j

Whip
Peanut
Case

-j-p
-p-l
-g-d
-do-do

kys: wn r ml kan n tm t ju kan l. kan pr ni a tka s nb.

Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.

wn dhn r Yoruba
Yoruba Word List Answers
Page 30

kn
sn
san
fn
gbn
Agbn
gbn
gbn

Page 37

-kn
-sn
-san
-fn
-gbn
A-gbn
-gbn
-gbn

Heart
Afternoon
Revenge
Elephant
Coconut
Basket
Chin
Wisdom

Page 31

yin
yn
sn
sn

-r
-te
-k
-p
-p
-gbn
A-gbn
-kan
I-kn
A-ya

Head
Lip
Finger
Arm
Prodigal
Coconut
Bee
One
Stomach
Chest

Page 40

-yin
-yn
-sn
-sn

You (plural)
Nut
Religion
Shame

Page 32

kun,
Okun
kn
kn
run
Ogun
gn
Ikn
Ikun

r
te
k
p
p
gbn
Agbn
kan
Ikn
Aya

Bb
B-b
Bt
B-t
rob -ro--b

Barley
Shoe
Orange

Page 41

-kun,
O-kun
-kn
-kn
-run
O-gun
-gn
I-kn
I-kun

Ocean
Strength
Cry
Fullness
Heaven
War
god of iron
Phlegm
Abdomen

Roboto
Rpt

Ro-bo-to
R-p-t

kys: wn r ml kan n tm t ju kan l. kan pr ni a tka s nb.

Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.

Round
Flat

(fruit)

Preface to first Edition

N ay de n, ogunlg wn m bl Yorb ni di ni t s
dl di il yl fn gb d, tb n dr p tt. Npa by, wn
dara p m wn ran mlb bb l wn tij, wn ran
Yorb il Brsl, Kb, Trinidd ti Tbg, kkiri l
Karbn ti kjp Il Amrk ti gbogbo wn t fn kkiri
gby.
di rnyn fn ww ly e ti bl lti n wn w,
magasnnn ti orr wn kan m t a fi kpt e n
rwt t d, e ti bl Yorb k b n pare lrn wn
wny ti ran wn. Ir wn kan by wn pp n ll
y. plp wn w k d t a m w lti il k wl pp
fn i y. Ln kn-n-n, a e wn fn k d n il Yorb ni,
s k wn lti k d il n d n ni. N n kej w, wn
gbgb r t w nn wn e jj s ni t dgb n dl.
B til j p e ptk lti fi e ti bl hn nn wn w
y, t s j p ohun t a lpa ny, t, s y k a fi wn
kan t j mm fn akk kn un lti fi f wn mra, k f
wn s dr.
Pp nn wn l t wn m Yorb p s n l kr ni
d il-w sl fn kk wn m wn n d bl. wn olk t
yda ara wn fn i y gbn t k e p wn k d jinl s
w lrn wn t bj t ir wn il-w b. wn b tb
aya ti k pp b ara wn n ip olk-d fn wn t
snm wn, gbn l n kan l fn i y, j ro fn
wn. w y w fn ss le y di r. k d Yorb w nn t
k wn il-w gga ml kan n dl by. wn w t w
fn k y l ro fn alkbr t k bkt fn grm l n
br gbn t kn f mn n k, mn n k fn gbdn lsn
ni. d t a fi e wn w w y ny. ma gbdn w kk
yin.

Preface to first Edition

In recent times an increasing number of Yorubas are taking up residence abroad

either temporarily, but for extended periods of time, or permanently. In a way,
they are joining the descendants of their forebears cousins of generations past,
people of Yoruba heritage in Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, all over the
Caribbean and the United States of America and indeed a great many others
scattered worldwide.
In order to ensure the long term survival of the Yoruba culture in generations
unborn, it is necessary for these groups to have at their disposal books,
magazines, computer programs and other resources that will help them
appreciate their roots. There is a dearth of such material at the present time.
Many of the books available for language learning are imported and may not be
particularly useful for this purpose. In the first place, the books are designed for
use in Yoruba-land and as such are written entirely in Yoruba. Secondly the
theme of the writings is usually not familiar to users growing up abroad. Whilst it
is essential to convey aspects of Yoruba culture in the writings, and indeed this is
the ultimate objective, it is essential to incorporate themes familiar to the reader
to attract and sustain their interest.
Several communities abroad have established Yoruba schools to teach their
children Yoruba language and culture. These schools are usually manned by
volunteer teachers who are not necessarily trained experts. Parents and spouses
also find themselves in the position of wanting to teach but with no resources.
This book is designed to alleviate this problem. Yoruba language features in the
curriculum of some academic centers abroad. The material available for these
studies may be too academic for the average person whose immediate concern is
not to master the intricacies of the grammar but to find a practical way to learn
the language in a fun way. This is the purpose for which these series have been
created. Enjoy your studies.

dup Ptk
Special Acknowledgement
Mo dupe pp lw jgbn-gb mw Adby Baball t
wn e yw tjde knnn w y t wn s e tne
wn e mi ljfara.
jgbn Baball j gbtag onm-jnl Yorb. Olr ka
m d ti Ltr frk n Yunifst l k, Njr ni
wn j fn plp dn k wn t fhnt nibi-i.
A ma ri yn b o.
jgbn Adby Baball di olgb n j kdgn, o
kejl, dn 2008. Sn re o, Bb.

I am indeed very grateful to Emeritus Professor Adeboye Babalola who, at

short notice, reviewed the first edition of this book and corrected my
mistakes.
Professor Babalola is a renowned Yoruba scholar who was for many years
the head of Department of African Languages and Literatures, University
of Lagos, Nigeria, prior to his retirement.
We are following your footsteps.
Professor Adeboye Babalola was deceased on December 15, 2008 at the
age of 82. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Bwo ni o ti r w y s?

What is your impression about this book?

K ni wn kan t o f r
nn tne r n j iwj?

What are the changes you would like to see

in a future edition?

Kw s wa.

Write to us

r npa kw y
Dkt Adbsl nbj nym j Ongn
Akunnilorun -j-ni n Il-wsn-an Royal
Victoria n lu Br, tr, Knd. un s tn
ni oldar il i Bis Bus International t wn
e tjde k m lrsrs n plu Kpt.
un ni atwjade magasnnn ongbdgby
Yorb: M n k, M n k. un s ni oldsl
gb jmka Yorb Il rw Amrk y t
w fn fn wn m Yorb n dl lti j k
rrn fn wn lti k d ti bl wn.
w y ni kk nn w wn w t a e fn wn m gb y
ti gbogbo wn t j nyn lti k de Yorb kkiri gby. A
e tp ti wo kpt t a m s CD-ROM n bmu pl w y
lti tb m k d y rrn fn wn.
Dkt nym gbgb p npa mm i y wy, un ti e t
tir, w y k wn b, aya tb k ti wn t w n ip lti
j olk de Yorb fn lmrn lo i y fn dgbsk
bl wa. Algm ti b m r tn, m j k s w m r.

Dr. Adebusola Onabajo Onayemi is a specialist Anesthesiologist at the Royal

Victoria Hospital, Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He is also the Executive Director of
Bis Bus International, a Yoruba language Multimedia Publishing Company. He is
the publisher of Yorb: M n k, M n k. (Know how to Write it , Know
how to Read it ) a bilingual Yoruba/English magazine. He is the founder of Yoruba
Readers Club of North America which was established to give Yoruba children in
the diaspora a practical way to learn their language and culture.
This is the first of a series of books designed for use by members of the club
and indeed all who have the desire to learn Yoruba worldwide. There is also a
companion tape and CD ROM to facilitate this process.
Dr. Onayemi believes that in doing this work, he is fulfilling an obligation and
the completion of the task now rests on the shoulders of parents, spouses and
others who find themselves in position to teach Yoruba to use this resource to
promote our common heritage.