Yoruba is a widely spoken language in Nigeria, with over 20 million native speakers. If you’re interested in learning basic Yoruba numbers, this guide will teach you how to say one to ten, both formally and informally. While Yoruba dialects may have slight variations, we will focus on the standard Yoruba spoken in Nigeria.
Table of Contents
Formal Way of Counting (Ọfẹfẹ/MuỌfẹ)
When counting in a formal context, such as during a business transaction or in a formal conversation, you would use the following Yoruba words:
Okan
Ọhun
Ẹta
Ẹrin
Ẹsẹ
Ẹfa
Ẹje
Ẹjo
Ẹsàn
Ẹwá
Tip: When pronouncing these numbers, it’s important to note that the “r” in Yoruba is trilled, similar to the Spanish “rr” sound. Additionally, each syllable in Yoruba is pronounced distinctly.
Informal Way of Counting (Lakọta/Lakute)
If you’re counting in an informal context, like when speaking with friends or family, the Yoruba numbers have a slightly different form:
Eni
Eji
Ẹta
Ẹrin
Ẹsẹ
Ẹfa
Ẹje
Ẹjo
Ẹsan
Tip: In informal settings, Yoruba numbers often undergo vowel harmony. This means that the vowels in neighboring syllables may change to harmonize with each other, making the pronunciation slightly different from the formal version.
Examples and Usage
Now, let’s look at some examples of how to use these numbers in everyday conversations:
Example 1:
Formal: “Olorun mi, na ni owo kan naira?” (My God, how much is one naira?)
Informal: “E ba mi, owo kan ni?” (Please, how much is one?)
Example 2:
Formal: “Mo ti ra ẹta gbigba.” (I bought eight of them.)
Informal: “Mo ti nwo eje gba.” (I have seen seven of them.)
Regional Variations
While standard Yoruba numbers are commonly used across Nigeria, some regional variations exist:
- In some parts of Yorubaland, “okan” (one) is pronounced as “ọkan” or “kankan.”
- In a few regions, “ẹta” (three) may be pronounced as “cta” or “etta.”
- Regional variations are more likely to be encountered in rural areas or among specific Yoruba tribes.
It’s worth mentioning that regardless of regional differences, Yoruba speakers from different areas can still communicate effectively using the standard Yoruba counting system.
Conclusion
Learning the Yoruba numbers from one to ten is a great way to begin your journey into mastering the language. By following the formal and informal variations mentioned in this guide, you’ll be able to express yourself confidently in Yoruba while counting.
Remember, Yoruba is a tonal language, so practicing the correct pronunciation is essential. The key is to listen, repeat, and embrace the beauty of Yoruba culture.
So go ahead and start counting in Yoruba today – “Iru eto, ẹniketa!” (Ten numbers, well done!)
