Nigerian Pidgin English, Hausa, Igbo And Yoruba Languages With Common Phrases

By Ebby on July 4, 2024

SEASON 6, EPISODE 34

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is a vibrant and culturally rich nation. Home to over 200 million people, it features bustling cities like Lagos and Abuja and boasts a thriving entertainment industry, including Nollywood.

Nigeria is also one of the most linguistically diverse nations, with over 500 languages spoken across the country. The main languages are Hausa in the north, Yoruba in the southwest, and Igbo in the southeast, while English serves as the official language, used for governmental, education, business and other official duties.

On today's episode of Learn Africa, we will be looking at some common phrases in some of the most widely spoken languages in Nigeria.

Common Phrases in Nigerian Pidgin English

Nigerian Pidgin English is a widely spoken creole language in Nigeria, bridging communication among diverse ethnic groups. Born out of the need for communication during the colonial era, it has since evolved into a rich blend of simplified English and various Nigerian languages. With its own grammar and regional twists, it's the go-to for informal conversations, media, and music.

Below are some common phrases in Nigerian Pidgin English and their meanings.

Good morning - Good morning

Good afternoon - Good afternoon

Good evening - Good evening

Wetin be your name? - What is your name?

My name na… - My name is…

Where you from?/ You be from where/Where you come from? - Where are you from?

Na your first time? - Is this your first time?

I happy as I see you o - I was happy as I saw you

You fit epp me? - Can you help me?

I dey wait you since - I have been waiting for you since

I go call you later - I will call you later

I no too sure o - I am not very sure

Make we yan - Let's talk

Make we gist - Let's chat

Make we yan later - Let's talk later

Na you cook dis food? - Are you the one who cooked this food?

How far? - How is it going?

How you dey? - How are you?

How e dey be na? - How is it going?

I dey fine - I am fine

Wetin dey happen? - What's happening?

Wetin be dis? - What is this?

I don tire - I am tired

I go come - I will come

E don do - That is enough

You sabi o - You are good

I no sabi - I don't know

E no concern me - It doesn't concern me

You don chop? - Have you eaten?

I dey comot - I am leaving

I dey go house - I am going home

No vex - Don't be angry

Wetin you talk? - What did you say?

You don finish? - Are you done?

E no hard - It's not difficult

No be small thing o/No be small matter o - It's not a small thing

Nawa for you o - Why are you acting/behaving in such a manner?

Why you dey do like dis? - Why are you acting/behaving in such a manner?

Wetin dey worry you/Wetin dey work you? - What is wrong with you?

This one no follow - This one is not acceptable/This is not a part of it

Shey you wan go? - Do you want to go?

I don show - I have come

Naso e suppose be - That's how it should be

Na lie - It's a lie

Na true - It's true

I dey tell you - I am telling you

Abeg - Please

No wahala - No problem

Wahala - Problem

Pikin - Child

Momsy/Maale - Mother

Popsy/Paale - Father

Oga - Boss

Epp me - Help me

Put jara for me - Put extra for me

Kolo - Crazy

You dey yan dust - You are talking trash

Who be dis? - Who is this?

Pepper/Raba - Money

Common Phrases In Igbo Language

Igbo is a vibrant and expressive language spoken by the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. With several dialects reflecting the diverse cultural regions, Igbo brings a unique flavour to each community. It's written in the Latin alphabet and has a strong literary tradition, with proverbs and folktales that capture the essence of Igbo culture.

Below are some common phrases in Igbo Language and their meanings.

Good morning - Ụtụtụ ọma

Good afternoon - Ehihie ọma/Ndeewo

Good evening - Mgbede ọma/Ndeewo

Good night - Ka chi foo

Goodbye - Ka ọ dị/Ka o mesia

Welcome - Nnọọ/Ị bịala

Thank you - Daalụ

Hi - Ndeewo, Daalụ

How are you? - Kedụ?/Kedụ ka ị mere?/Kedụ ka ọ dị?/Kee ka ị mee?

I'm fine - A dị m mma

What is your name? - Kedụ aha gị?

My name is… - Aha m bụ

Where are you going? - Ebee ka ị na-aga?

I am going to… - M na-aga

Where are you from? - Onye ebee ka ị bụ?

I am from… - Esi m

I am hungry - Agụụ na-agụ m

How much is this? - Ego ole bụ nke a?

Keep it up - Jisi ike

Please - Biko

Come - Bia

Eat - Rie

Food - Nri

Water - Mmiri

Yes - Oo/Ee

No - Mba

Tell me - Gwa m

Stop - Kwụsị

Man - Nwoke

Woman - Nwanyi

A boy - Nwata nwoke

Girl - Nwa agbọghọ

Child - Nwa

Friend - Umuaka

Please give me water - Biko nye m mmiri

Please sit down - Biko nọdụ ala

Go away! - Si ebe a pụọ!

I love you - A fụlụ m gị n'anya/A hụrụ m gị n'anya

Get well soon - Dịkwa mma ozugbo

Do you speak English? - Ị na-asụ Bekee

One - Otu

Two - Abụọ

Three - Atọ

Four - Anọ

Five - Ise

Six - Isii

Seven - Asaa

Eight - Asato

Nine - Itoolu

Ten - Iri

Twenty - Iri abụọ

Thirty - Iri atọ

Fourty - Iri anọ

Fifty - Iri ise

Sixty - Iri isii

Seventy - Iri asatọ

Eighty - Iri asatọ

Ninety - Iri itoolu

Hundred - Narị

Thousand - Puku

Million - Nde

Common Phrases in Hausa Language

Hausa is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, primarily used by the Hausa people in northern Nigeria and southern Niger. It serves as a lingua franca across West Africa due to its extensive reach and influence.

Below are some common phrases in Hausa Language and their meanings.

Good morning - Ina kwana/Barka da safiya

Good afternoon - Ina wuni/Barka da yamma

Good evening - Ina wuni/Barka da yamma

Good night - Sai da safe

Welcome - Sannu da zuwa

Thank you - Nagode

Hello - Sannu

How are you? - Ka na lafiya? (m) / Ki na lafiya? (f)

I'm fine - Ina lafiya

Goodbye - Sai an jima/Sai gobe

Goodnight - Mu kwana lafiya/Sai gobe

What is your name? - Menene sunan ka? (m) / Menene sunan ki? (f)

My name is… - Sunana…

Where are you going? - Ina za ka? (m) / Ina za ki? (f)

I am going to… - Zan je

Where are you from? - Daga ina kake? (m) / Daga ina kike? (f)

I am from… - Ni daga…

I am hungry - Ina jin yunwa

How much is this? - Nawa ne wannan?

Please - Don Allah

Come - Zo

Go - Je

Eat - Ci

Food - Abinci

Water - Ruwa

Yes - Ei

No - A'a

Tell me - Giya mu

Stop - Tsaya

Man - Mutum

Woman - Mace

Boy - Yaro

Girl - Yarinya

Children - Yara

Friend - Aboki

Please give me water - Don Allah, ka ba ni ruwa (m) / Don Allah, ki ba ni ruwa (f)

Please sit down - Don Allah, ka zona (m) / Don Allah, ki zona (f)

Go away! - Tafi!

I love you - Ina son ka (m) / Ina son ki (f)

Do you speak English? - Kana ji turanci? (m) / Kina ji turanci? (f)

One - Daya

Two - Biyu

Three - Uku

Four - Hudu

Five - Biyar

Six - Shida

Seven - Bakwai

Eight - Takwas

Nine - Tara

Ten - Goma

Twenty - Ashirin

Thirty - Talatin

Fourty - Arba'in

Fifty - Hamsin

Sixty - Sittin

Seventy - Saba'in

Eighty - Tamanin

Ninety - Casa'in

Hundred - Dari

Thousand - Dubu

Million - Miliyan

Common Phrases in Yoruba Language

Yoruba is a major language spoken predominantly in southwestern Nigeria and parts of neighbouring countries such as Benin and Togo. It's the heart of communication for the Yoruba people, a community renowned for its rich traditions and artistic expressions. It's a language that continues to evolve, embraced in schools, cherished in ceremonies, and celebrated in the vibrant rhythms of daily life.

Below are some common phrases in Yoruba Language and their meanings.

Good morning - Kaaro/E kaaro

Good afternoon - Kaasan/E kaasan

Good evening - Ku'role/E ku'role

Good night - Kaale/E kaale

Welcome - Káàbọ̀/Ẹ káàbọ̀

Thank you - Ese

Hello - Ẹ n lẹ/Báwo ni?

How are you? - Ṣe daadaa ni o wa?

I'm fine - Daadaa ni/Daadaa ni mo wa

Goodbye - O dabo

What is your name? - Kini oruko e?/Kini oruko yin?

My name is… - Oruko mi ni…

Where are you going? - Ibo lo n lo?/Ibo le n lo?

I am going to… - Mo n lo si…

Where are you from? - Ibo lo ti wa?/Ibo le ti wa?

I am from… - Mo wa lati…

I am hungry - Ebi n pa mi

How much is this? - Elo ni?

Please - Dakun

Come - Wa/E wa

Eat - Jeun/E jeun

Food - Ounje

Water - Omi

Yes - Beeni

No - Rara

Tell me - So fun mi/E so fun mi

Stop - Duro/E duro

Man - Okunrin

Woman - Obinrin

Boy - Omo okunrin

Girl - Omo obinrin

Children - Omode

Friend - Ore

Please give me water - Dakun, fun mi l'omi

Please sit down - Dakun, joko

Go away! - Kuro patapata!

I love you - Mo n'ife re

Do you speak English? - Se oun so ede Gesi?

One - Okan

Two - Meji

Three - Meta

Four - Merin

Five - Marun

Six - Mefa

Seven - Meje

Eight - Mejo

Nine - Mesan

Ten - Mewa

Twenty - Ogun

Thirty - Ogbon

Fourty - Ogoji

Fifty - Aadota

Sixty - Ogota

Seventy - Aadorin

Eighty - Ogorin

Ninety - Aadorun

Hundred - Ogorun

Thousand - Egberun

Million - Milionu

Written and edited by Ebby

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