Language/Yoruba/Vocabulary/Feelings-and-Emotions

Yoruba Vocabulary - Feelings and Emotions

Hi Yoruba learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore the vocabulary related to feelings and emotions in Yoruba language. Being able to express our emotions and recognize others' is an essential part of communication. So, let's dive in and learn some useful words and phrases! Don't forget to check the examples and practice with a native speaker on Polyglot Club. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Emotions and Feelings

In Yoruba language, there are several words to describe emotions and feelings. Here are some of the most common:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
ọrẹ	oh-reh	Friend
alafia	ah-la-fee-ah	Peace (inner or outer)
ipaari	ee-pah-ah-ree	Calmness (excerpt from troubled thoughts or mind)
ayọ	ah-yaw	Joy
orire	oh-ree-reh	Goodness
àlùbọ̀sáyé	ah-loo-bo-sha-yeh	Lover of the world
igbala	ig-bah-lah	Shame
akosile	ah-koh-see-leh	Laziness

Let's practice some of these words in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Ki ni alafia fun gbogbo wa? (What is peace to everyone?)
• Person 2: Alafia ni o. (Peace is.)

• Person 1: Ki ni ayọ to yen? (What is that joy?)
• Person 2: Ayọ mi dun jare. (My joy is sweet.)

Describing Feelings

Now, let's see how to express some feelings and emotions in Yoruba:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
ẹda	eh-dah	Angry
bíbẹ̀rù	bee-beh-roo	Anxious
iṣẹ̀lẹ̀sẹ̀	ee-shay-leh-shay	Bored
kòlóbè	koh-loh-beh	Depressed
ijìsàlẹ̀	ee-jee-shah-leh	Embarrassed
ọ̀runbọ̀sánà	oh-roon-boh-sha-na	Enthusiastic
owó ọjọ́	oh-woh oh-jaw	Excited
alájogun	ah-lah-joh-goon	Fearful
ipayẹle	ee-pah-yeh-leh	Frustrated
ayànfe	ah-yahn-feh	In love
ọlọ́runbìnrin	oh-low-roon-been-rin	Jealous
jẹnìnì	jeh-nee-nee	Sad
alákáyà	ah-lah-kah-ya	Worried

Let's see some examples:

• Person 1: Kini irú re? (What's bothering you?)
• Person 2: Mo ní bíbẹ̀rù lọ sí ikúnlẹ̀mì. (I'm anxious about my interview.)

• Person 1: Kini ẹda o? (What's making you angry?)
• Person 2: Iyawo mi ti jẹ́ ẹbà lẹ́yìn. (My wife ate the yam after all.)

Idioms and Expressions

Idioms and expressions about emotions and feelings are common in Yoruba language. Here are a few examples:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
Afẹfẹ kì í jẹ táyà.	ah-feh-feh kee ee jay tah-yah	A little love is better than nothing.
Ẹni tí àfi ẹsẹ̀ un tán, ko ri ọ̀ré ní ọjọ́ ewé.	eh-nee tee ah-fee eh-seh oon tah-n, koh ree oh-reh nee oh-jaw eh-weh	One who uses charm to catch a thief does not receive blessings on market day.
Ìròyìn ní gbogbo àwọn àgbà.	ee-roy-yin nee gboh-gboh ah-wohn ah-gbah	Gossip is in the mouth of everyone.
Orúkọ rẹ láṣó ẹ̀.	oh-roo-koh reh lah-shaw eh	Your name will save you.

Let's practice with a dialogue:

• Person 1: Àwọn ọmọ aráyé ni won fẹ́ daradara. (People want respect.)
• Person 2: Ni ìwé àgbàyé ọkọ́ yẹn kì í ṣe àsìkò. (In this life, that's an impossible wish.)

Conclusion

This concludes our lesson on Yoruba Vocabulary - Feelings and Emotions. It is essential to learn how to express ourselves and understand the emotions of others. Remember, conversation and practice are the keys to success. To improve your Yoruba Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Words you need to know to talk about Emotions in Yoruba.

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