Bawo ni?
In Yoruba, "how are you?" is said as Bawo ni?
Bawo ni? is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being. When responding to this greeting, you can say Mo wa pa to mean "I am fine".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Bawo ni? literally translates to "How is it?", where bawo means "how" and ni is a copula meaning "is".
Which one should you use?
While Bawo ni? is the standard form, you may encounter variations depending on who you are addressing. Báwo ni o? is used to address a single person informally, whereas Bawo ni ẹ? is used to address a group or to show respect to an elder.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Báwo ni o? is an informal way to address one person. To be polite, or when addressing an elder or a group, use Bawo ni ẹ?
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is Alááfíà ni, which literally means "It is peace" and implies the person is in good health.
Did you know?
- The response Mo wa pa uses the word pa, which in many other contexts can mean 'to kill', yet here it serves to indicate being 'fine' or 'well'.
- Yoruba is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say Bawo ni? can change the meaning of the words entirely.
- A person may respond to Bawo ni? by mentioning their family's health rather than their own, as the greeting often implies a collective well-being.
Examples in context
- Bawo ni?How are you?
- Ẹ kú àárọ̀, bawo ni?Good morning, how are you?
Example conversation
Morenike and Tunde meet on the street.
- MorenikeTunde, bawo ni?Tunde, how are you?
- TundeMo wa dare, Morenike.I am fine, Morenike.
- MorenikeInu mi dun lati ri e.I am happy to see you.
- TundeEse pupo.Thank you very much.
