ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́
polite
The Yoruba phrase for hello is ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́. If unsure, use ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́. Wiktionary also lists pẹ̀lẹ́.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Ways to say it
| Yoruba | Note |
|---|---|
| ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ | polite |
| pẹ̀lẹ́ |
The word is used as a greeting.
What does it mean word for word?
The term pẹ̀lẹ́ literally means 'softly' or 'gently'.
Which one should you use?
Use pẹ̀lẹ́ when greeting someone of the same age or younger in an informal setting. In contrast, ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ is the polite form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ is the polite version of the greeting. Use pẹ̀lẹ́ for informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, the particle ẹ functions as a respectful or plural pronoun for 'you'.
When do people say it?
In a formal setting, a common way to say welcome is E káàbò.
Did you know?
- While pẹ̀lẹ́ is a greeting, it is also the standard way to offer sympathy or comfort to someone who has suffered a mishap, similar to saying 'sorry' in English.
- The respectful pronoun ẹ used in ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ is the same one used to address a group of people, meaning you are treating a single elder as if they are a crowd of respected individuals.
- Depending on the tone used, the word pẹ̀lẹ́ can shift from a casual greeting to a deep expression of condolences at a funeral.
Examples in context
- Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, ẹ kú àárọ̀.Hello, good morning.
Example conversation
Olumide greets Yejide as she enters the room.
- OlumideẸ pẹ̀lẹ́, Yejide.Hello, Yejide.
- YejideẸ pẹ̀lẹ́, Olumide.Hello, Olumide.
- OlumideṢé àlàáfíà ni?Is everything peaceful?
- YejideÀlàáfíà ni, o ṣeun.Everything is peaceful, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
