Yoruba Alphabet and Pronunciation: Complete Guide
Learn the 25-letter Yoruba alphabet with tone marks, seven oral and five nasal vowels, subdot letters, and the crucial difference between e and e-dot.
April 2026
Yoruba Greetings and Cultural Salutations Reference
Master Yoruba greetings for every context: morning, afternoon, evening, night, for workers, travelers, mourners, with cultural etiquette and respect forms.
Yoruba Loanwords: Understanding Language Borrowing
Understand how Yoruba borrows words from English, Hausa, Arabic, and Portuguese. Learn the phonological adaptation rules and common loan vocabulary.
Yoruba Noun System: No Plurals, No Gender Reference
Yoruba nouns do not inflect for number or gender. Learn how Yoruba expresses plurality with awon, how gender is marked with ako and abo, and compound nouns.
Yoruba Numbers and Counting: Vigesimal System Reference
Understand the Yoruba vigesimal (base-20) numbering system with subtraction, counting 1 to 100, ordinals, and the unique math behind Yoruba numerals.
Yoruba Pronouns: Subject, Object, and Possessive Reference
Complete reference to Yoruba pronouns including subject, object, and possessive forms, emphatic pronouns, and demonstratives with tone-marked examples.
Yoruba Proverbs: Wisdom Sayings Explained
Explore essential Yoruba proverbs (owe) with literal translations, cultural meanings, and contexts of use. Discover the wisdom tradition at the heart of Yoruba speech.
Yoruba Three Tones: High, Mid, Low Complete Reference
Master the three tones of Yoruba: high (acute), mid (unmarked), and low (grave). Learn tone sandhi, minimal pairs, and why tone is essential for meaning.
Yoruba Verb Tense and Aspect Markers Reference
Complete reference to Yoruba verb markers: n for continuous, ti for perfect, maa and yoo for future, serial verb constructions, and negation patterns.
Everyday Yoruba Phrases for Daily Conversation
Learn 100+ essential Yoruba phrases for daily conversation, including greetings, courtesy, shopping, travel, food, and emergencies with proper tone marks and cultural notes.
Yoruba Food Vocabulary and Cooking Reference
Comprehensive reference to Yoruba food vocabulary, traditional dishes (iyan, ebas, egusi, jollof), ingredients, cooking verbs, and restaurant phrases with proper tone marks.