List of Everyday Yoruba Words to use in your conversations

Using Yoruba in your home is one of the best ways to keep the language alive—especially if you are raising children, living abroad, or learning Yoruba as a second language. Many families want to speak more Yoruba at home but may not know where to begin. The good news is that you don’t need long or complicated grammar to start. You can begin with short, clear sentences that are useful every day.

These short Yoruba sentences are perfect for common household situations: waking up, eating, cleaning, resting, or giving instructions to children. Whether you're in Nigeria or the diaspora, speaking Yoruba at home helps you build confidence and teach the next generation.

Below is a list of simple and polite Yoruba sentences you can use around the house—no stress, just real-life usage.

Common Short Yoruba Sentences for Home Use
1. Jẹ k'á lọ – Let’s go
2. Wàhálà kò sí – No problem
3. Mó fé jẹun – I want to eat
4. Jọ̀wọ́, mú omi wá – Please, bring water
5. Kúrò níbẹ̀ – Move away from there
6. Sún mọ́ mi – Come closer to me
7. Pada wa – Come back later
8. Ṣé o ti gbọ́? – Have you heard? / Do you understand?
9. Ó ti to (o ti dara) – That’s enough
10. Ṣé o ti wẹ̀? – Have you bathed?

For Children
11. Wá jẹun – Come and eat
12. Bawo ni eko re? – How is your learning/study?
13. Ṣé o ti ṣe iṣẹ́ rẹ? – Have you done your work?
14. Wa gba - Come and take
15. Mura l'ogan – Get ready quickly
16. Gbori soke - rasie your head up
17. Ó yá, lọ sùn – now, go and sleep
18. Má ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ mọ́ o – Don’t do that again
19. O kare – Good job, you did well
20. Ẹ ròyìn fún bàbá yín – Tell your dad

For Family Conversation
21. Ṣé ilé wa dáa? – How's family?
22. Ó ṣeun ọjọ́ – Thanks for the other day
23. Ṣé o sùn dáadáa? – Did you sleep well?
24. Màá lọ sí ojà – I will go to the market
25. Ẹ jó, ṣé ẹ́ lè ran mi lọ́wọ́? – Please, can you help me?

Conclusion
Speaking Yoruba at home starts with using short, everyday sentences. You don’t need to be fluent to start using the language in meaningful ways. These phrases are simple enough for all learners and can be used naturally by both adults and children. Over time, using these expressions daily will help you and your family become more comfortable with Yoruba and keep the language strong across generations.

Whether you live in Nigeria, the UK, US, Canada, or anywhere else, let your home be a place where Yoruba is heard, spoken, and passed on with love and pride.