Ways to say it
| Yoruba | Note |
|---|---|
| ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ | polite |
| pẹ̀lẹ́ |
The term pẹ̀lẹ́ is used as a greeting for hello, but it also functions as an interjection meaning 'sorry', 'calm down' or 'easy' depending on the situation. Another common greeting is Ẹ káàsán, which means 'Good afternoon' and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pẹ̀lẹ́ literally means 'softly' or 'gently'.
Which one should you use?
ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ is the polite form of the greeting, while pẹ̀lẹ́ is the informal version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ when addressing an elder or a group of people to show respect. Use pẹ̀lẹ́ when addressing a peer or someone younger than you. For a general inquiry into how someone is, you might use the informal Bawo ni? to ask 'How are you?'
How does it change in a sentence?
In the polite form ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, the particle ẹ serves as the plural or polite pronoun for 'you'.
Did you know?
- In Yoruba culture, a greeting like pẹ̀lẹ́ is often accompanied by a physical gesture of respect, such as a slight bow or a woman kneeling known as ikúnlẹ̀.
- The concept of 'softness' in pẹ̀lẹ́ reflects a broader cultural value in Yoruba society where modesty and gentleness in speech are prized over directness.
- Unlike English, which has one general 'hello', Yoruba greetings like Ẹ káàsán change based on the specific time of day and the activity the person is currently doing.
Examples in context
- Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, ẹ kú àláàáfíà.Hello, I wish you peace.
- Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, ẹ kú iṣẹ́.Hello, well done with your work.
Example conversation
Femi meets Yejide at a community meeting.
- FemiẸ pẹ̀lẹ́, Yejide.Hello, Yejide.
- YejideẸ pẹ̀lẹ́, Femi.Hello, Femi.
- FemiṢé ẹ wà dáadáa?Are you doing well?
- YejideÀmián, mo wà dáadáa.Yes, I am doing well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
