Key Yoruba Phrases for Hospital and Clinic Visits
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
Navigating a hospital or clinic in a Yoruba-speaking environment can be challenging if you don't understand the language. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or medical professional, knowing basic Yoruba phrases can make communication smoother and ensure you get the right care.
This guide covers essential Yoruba phrases for medical visits, from describing symptoms to understanding a doctor’s instructions.
Greetings and Basic Communication
As in many African cultures, greetings are important in Yoruba interactions—even in medical settings.
Ẹ kú àárọ̀ – Good morning
Ẹ kú alẹ́ – Good evening
Báwo ni? – How are you?
Mo wà dáadáa – I am fine
Jọ̀wọ́ran mi lọ̀wọ́ – Please, help me
Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ṣé ẹ le ran mí lọ́wọ́? – Please, can you help me?
If you're speaking to an elderly doctor or nurse, show respect by adding "Ẹ" before phrases.
Explaining Symptoms
When visiting a clinic, you need to describe how you feel clearly. Here are some useful phrases:
Mo ní àrùn – I have an illness
Ara mi ò yá – I am not feeling well
Mo ni imu dina – I have a blocked nose
Mo ní àárẹ́ púpọ̀ – I feel very weak
Mo nínú ríru – I feel nauseous
Mo fé eebi – I want to vomit
Mo ní ìbà – I have a fever
Inu urun mi – I have a stomach ache
Mo ni ọfun ọgbẹ – I have a sore throat
Mo ń fọ̀hùn gígùn – I am coughing
Mo n yagbẹ gbuuru – I have diarrhea
Nko le simi dada– I can’t breathe properly
Mi ò le dúró – I can’t stand
If the pain is in a specific part of the body, you can say:
Ọwọ́ mi dun – My hand hurts
Ẹsẹ̀ mi dun – My leg hurts
Ojú mi ńjo – My eyes are burning
Orí mi ń dùn mi – My head hurts
Questions for the Doctor or Nurse
Understanding medical advice is crucial, so here are some phrases to ask questions:
Kí ló n ṣẹ mi? – What is wrong with me?
Ṣé ó lewu? – Is it serious?
Ṣé mo ní àrùn to lewu? – Do I have a serious illness?
Ṣé mo ní àrùn kọọkan? – Do I have an infection?
Kini o yẹ MO ṣe lati dara si?? – What should I do to get better?
Ṣe Mo le lọ si ile?– Can I go home?
Nigbawo ni ara mi yoo dara? – When will I feel better?
Ṣe Mo nilo lati mu oogun? – Do I need to take medicine?
Báwo ni mo ṣe gbọ̀dọ̀ mu oogún yìí? – How should I take this medicine?
Ṣe o le fun mi ni ilana nipa oogun naa? – Can you give me instructions about the medicine?
Understanding Doctor’s Instructions
Doctors and nurses may give instructions on treatment. Here’s how to understand them:
Gbọ̀dọ̀ gbà àbẹ́fọ̀ – You need an injection
Gbọ̀dọ̀ mu ogún yìí lẹ́ẹ̀mẹta lójọ́ kan – Take this medicine three times a day
Má ṣe jẹ ounjẹ òyìnbó – Avoid eating junk food
Ṣé o ní aleji? – Do you have allergies?
Ó yẹ kí o sun púpọ̀ – You should rest well
Ṣé o fẹ́ se ayẹwo? – Do you want to do a check-up?
A ò ní gba ọ́ sí ilé ìwòsàn – We will not admit you to the hospital
A gbọ̀dọ̀ gbé ọ sí ilé ìwòsàn – You need to be admitted to the hospital
Emergency Situations
In urgent medical situations, these phrases will help:
Ẹgbà mí! – Help me!
Ẹ pè dókítà! – Call the doctor!
Pe ọkọ alaisan! – Call an ambulance!
Mo ń ṣàìsàn gidi! – I am seriously ill!
Ẹ ṣe yára! – Hurry up!
Omo mi ko dara! – My child is not well!
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, mu mí lọ sí ilé ìwòsàn – Please, take me to the hospital
Pharmacy and Medication
If you visit a pharmacy, these phrases will help:
Mo fé rà oogún fun àìsàn – I want to buy medicine for an illness
Ṣé o ní oogún fún ìbà? – Do you have medicine for fever?
Báwo ni mo ṣe lo oogún yìí? – How do I use this medicine?
Kini itọju to dara julọ fun arun yii? – What is the best treatment for this illness?
Oogun kan kan mi inira – I am allergic to a certain medicine
Iyẹn jẹ gbowolori pupọ fun mi – That is too expensive for me
Discharge and Follow-Up Appointments
If you're leaving the hospital or scheduling a follow-up:
Nigbà wo ni mo le lọ sí ilé? – When can I go home?
Ṣé mo ní láti tún wá? – Do I need to come back?
Nigbà wo ni mo máa wá tún rí yín? – When should I come for my next visit?
Ṣé o le fi ìwé tí ó so nípa àìsàn mi fún mi? – Can I have a document about my illness?
Ṣé mo gbọ̀dọ̀ gbé àwọn ìwé yìí pẹ̀lú mi? – Should I bring these documents with me?
Final Thoughts
Understanding these Yoruba medical phrases can be a lifesaver—literally. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or health worker, speaking the local language fosters trust, understanding, and better care.
If you're learning Yoruba, practicing these phrases can build your confidence and help you communicate effectively in hospitals and clinics.
💡 P.S.: Need more Yoruba lessons? NKENNE has you covered! With interactive lessons and real-life conversations, you’ll be speaking confidently in no time. Download NKENNE today! 🚀