Nigerians place much importance on greetings. We like our good mornings , good evenings and good afternoons and show of general concern for ones family.Indeed in Yoruba culture,there is a greeting for literally everything,from sitting down to watching the rain.(Eku Ojo) We have included a few words of Pidgin English and Yoruba words and phrases here to try help you understand ! English is however the official language in NIgeria.Keep in mind the meaning of Yoruba words can change drastically depending, on intonation and the way you pronounce them. So you may end up saying something quite rude instead of a seeminly innocuous word.
| Nigerian Lingo | English |
|---|---|
| Morin | Good Morning |
| How you de | How are you ? |
| How your family? | How is your family? |
| Wetin you bring come for me? | What goodies do you have for me? |
| Na Alafia I bring come | I have brought good will |
| We de here for you Oga? | Means we are working here for you so,what goodies do you have for us? |
| Oga /madam | Mr /Mrs |
| Waka | walk |
| comot from dat place | Get out or Move from there |
| I de come | It means am going now and coming back later |
| I wan waka go | I am going |
| Na only you waka come | Are you the only one that has shown up |
| darris a God oh | There is a God |
| say wetin happen | What happened |
| wetin/Kilode | whats wrong |
| Shine your eye | Get with the programme/get wise |
| Mumu | A fool |
| Mugu | A fool that’s been played |
| Na who be mumu | Who is a fool |
| Nothing de for ground now | I have nothing for you now |
| Yellow Fever(Not a vaccination in this case) | Traffic warden |
| Who are you re | Are you important |
| you no know me before | If you didn’t know I was important you surely will now |
| Hungry de wire me | I am hungry / I need some cash |
| we wan chop | We need cash or we are indeed hungry |
| 419 | A Scam or a scamer,this actually refers to the law under which they are dealt with hence 419. |
| chop wetin | Eat what |
| yahoo yahoo | Internet Scammers otherwise known as 419ers |
| see your swaga | Your moves ,walk the walk |
| How Bodi? | How’s life |
| I de fine,Bodi de for clot | Well am alright |
| Oga make you manage dis small change | Heres what little cash I have |
| You wan chop | Are you Hungry |
| me sef I never chop | I myself am hungry |
| abi | yep |
| bokun | Plenty off something |
| broda | brother |
| ashawo | Prostitute /naughty boy/naughty girl |
| Ode | Stupid fool |
| joh.. I beg.. Pleaz | please, I am sorry |
| yeye man | Foolish man |
| Koboko | leather whip used by soldiers to whip and keep order |
| Ekaro(Yoruba) | Good morning |
| Ekuise(Yoruba) | Greeting for someone working |
| O dabo(Yoruba) | Goodbye |
| Ese | Thank you |
| Eku ile( Yoruba) | Well done in the house |
| Ekabo | Welcome back home |
| Taiwo & Kehinde | The names given to twins by Yoruba people, it’s a unisex name |
| Dami lohun | Answer me |
| kilode | Whats wrong |
| There is no network | This means my phone wasn’t working |
| Go slow | Traffic |
