mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín
honorific, plural
The English phrase "I love you" is expressed in Yoruba as mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín. Wiktionary also lists mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Yoruba | Note |
|---|---|
| mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín | honorific, plural |
| mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ | informal |
This phrase is used as an affirmation of romantic feeling.
What does it mean word for word?
The informal form mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ breaks down into mo (I), ní (have), ẹ̀ẹ́ (love) and rẹ (you).
Which one should you use?
mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ is used when addressing one person who is a peer, a younger person or someone you are close to. In contrast, mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín is used when addressing one person to show respect, such as an elder or a superior or when addressing more than one person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ is the informal way to say "I love you". mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín is the honorific form used to show respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, the verb ní (to have) is used to express the possession of the feeling of love.
Did you know?
- The word ífẹ̀ẹ́ is closely linked to the concept of 'will' or 'desire'. This means that in Yoruba, loving someone is conceptually tied to wanting or choosing that person.
- In Yoruba culture, romantic love is often expressed through acts of service and care rather than the spoken phrase mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ. Saying these words explicitly can sometimes be seen as overly bold or unnecessary in traditional settings.
- Because Yoruba is a tonal language, changing the pitch on the word ní can change its meaning entirely. A mistake in tone could turn the expression of love into a completely different statement.
Example sentences for Yoruba are not verified yet.
Example conversation
A husband and wife are sharing a quiet moment together.
- OlumideYejide, mo nífẹ̀ẹ́ yín.Yejide, I love you.
- YejideMo nífẹ̀ẹ́ rẹ náà, Olumide.I love you too, Olumide.
- OlumideẸ jẹ́ kí á lọ sùn.Let us go to sleep.
- YejideO dáa, ẹ jẹ́ kí á lọ.Okay, let us go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
