What to Say When You Are Lost or Need Directions in Yorùbá

Knowing a few direction expressions can help you find a market, school, hospital, bus stop or someone’s home.

Here are some useful expressions to learn.

Asking for directions

English	Yorùbá
I am lost	Mo ti sọnù.
I do not know this area	Mi ò mọ agbègbè yìí.
Where is the market?	Níbo ni ọjà wà?
How can I get there?	Báwo ni mo ṣe lè dé ibẹ̀?
Is it far?	Ṣé ó jìnnà?
Is it near?	Ṣé ó súnmọ́?
Can I walk there?	Ṣé mo lè rìn dé ibẹ̀?

When speaking politely, begin with Ẹ jọ̀ọ́.

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, níbo ni ibùdó ọkọ̀ wà?
Please, where is the bus stop?

Understanding directions

English	Yorùbá
Go straight	Máa lọ tààrà.
Turn right	Yí sí ọ̀tún.
Turn left	Yí sí òsì.
Stop there	Dúró síbẹ̀.
Cross the road	Sọdá ọ̀nà.
In front of	Níwájú
Behind	Lẹ́yìn
Beside	Ní ẹ̀gbẹ́

Examples

Ó wà níwájú ilé ìwé.
It is in front of the school.

Ó wà lẹ́yìn ilé ìtajà.
It is behind the shop.

Ó wà ní ẹ̀gbẹ́ ilé ìwòsàn.
It is beside the hospital.

Confirming directions

If you are unsure, ask:

Ṣé kí n máa lọ tààrà?
Should I keep going straight?

Ṣé kí n yí sí ọ̀tún?
Should I turn right?

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, tún un sọ.
Please, say it again.

Short conversation

Traveller: Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, níbo ni ọjà wà?
Please, where is the market?

Resident: Máa lọ tààrà, kí o sì yí sí ọ̀tún.
Go straight and then turn right.

Traveller: Ṣé ó jìnnà?
Is it far?

Resident: Rárá, ó súnmọ́.
No, it is near.

Traveller: Ẹ ṣé.
Thank you.

Learning these expressions will help you ask for directions and understand simple responses when visiting a new place.