Yoruba · speaking
Learn to speak Yoruba
A practical plan for learning to speak Yoruba. Speaking is a skill you build by speaking, so the plan starts with saying sentences on day one.
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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
Yoruba · lesson preview
Step 4Ẹ n lẹ́
Hello
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeYour 30-day plan
- 1
Week 1: sounds and greetings
Say hello (Ẹ n lẹ́) and thank you (Ẹ ṣé) until they feel natural. Learn the sounds that differ from English, and say ten short sentences about yourself.
- 2
Week 2: everyday requests
Learn to order, ask the price, ask where things are and say you do not understand. Build each as a full sentence and say it three times.
- 3
Week 3: questions and answers
Practise question words and the answers to them. Listen to each Yoruba sentence first, then say it, then compare.
- 4
Week 4: short exchanges
Chain sentences into a mini conversation: greet, introduce yourself, ask a question, answer one. Record yourself and listen back.
What speaking Yoruba involves
Yoruba uses the Latin alphabet, so you can read and sound out words from day one.
Yoruba sits in the harder band for English speakers. Different grammar, sounds or script from English.
Daily routine that works
- Ten to twenty minutes, same time every day.
- Say everything out loud, even when alone.
- Learn whole sentences, not isolated words.
- Repeat yesterday's sentences before learning new ones.
- After a couple of weeks, find a conversation partner or tutor and use what you have practised. At 30 minutes a day, Yoruba reaches working proficiency in roughly 6 years, and you will be speaking well before that.
Can I learn to speak Yoruba by myself?
Yes, for the basics. With daily practice you can learn pronunciation, vocabulary and common sentences alone. Conversation with a native speaker or tutor helps you apply it once you can say a handful of sentences.
How do I practise speaking Yoruba alone?
Read sentences aloud, shadow audio, answer simple questions out loud and record yourself. 4ToSpeak's speaking step listens through your microphone and marks each word as right, close or missed.
How long to learn to speak Yoruba basics?
With 15 to 30 minutes a day, most people can handle greetings and simple everyday exchanges in Yoruba within a month or two.
What is the best app to learn to speak Yoruba?
Look for one where you say whole sentences out loud and get specific feedback. 4ToSpeak runs every Yoruba sentence through order, translate, listen and speak, and the free plan needs no card.
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Say your first Yoruba sentence
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