The Yorubas represent one of the principal ethnic communities in Nigeria, alongside the Igbos and Hausas. They primarily populate the western region of the country and are distributed across all six states (Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, and Ondo) in that area.
Beyond Nigeria, the Yorubas can also be located in Togo, Benin Republic, and Brazil.
The Yoruba heritage is captivating and, like other cultures, boasts proverbs and expressions that apply to every circumstance; while some may be humorous, they inherently convey profound meanings.
In this article, we have compiled 150 proverbs along with their interpretations, which are listed below;
1. Kosi eni to ma gun ęşin ti o ní ju ìpàkó, Bí kò fę ju ìpàkó, ęşin tí ó ngùn á jẹ kojū
Meaning: Your conduct towards others is reflective of your significance in life.
2. Bi eegun nla ba ni ohun o ri gonto gonto na a ni ohun o ri
Meaning: Insignificant individuals would not respect someone who disregards them.
3. Lati kekere lati petan iroko to ba d’agba tan enu onika mo Meaning: To successfully nurture a child, discipline must begin at a very tender age.
4. Oun ti agbalagba ri lori i joko, omo kekere ole ri lori iduro
Translation: An elder can constantly perceive things that a young person cannot.
5. Uyi wo ba agbe oun wa kai, we le gbe ila du o ka koko
Meaning: You reap what you sow.
6. Gbo gbo alangba lo d’anu dele, a o mo eyi tinu nrun
Meaning: Exteriors may appear identical, yet the inner workings can be quite different.
7. I gi soso o ya a ghonen ‘ju, a to ke iye e ti ho
Meaning: Being warned is a form of being prepared.
8. Ibe ese luse, oen yo gbe jake oun o se l’use
Meaning: Anyone who endures to the end will be rewarded.
9. Oen ma nena’e do fi ghon n’onen, uya a a je pa
Meaning: A person who refuses to help themselves but relies on others will struggle.
10. Iyen wu mi Feyi wuen, oun e m’omaiye meji jeun ototo i
Meaning: Every individual possesses a trait that distinguishes them.
11. Oun pele, oyo obi napo; ohun lile yo uda n’ako
Meaning: The word can be a double-edged blade.
12. Dilejo ba a ma ejo nebi e ni i pe noiho ikonle
Meaning: If you demonstrate full dedication, you have made efforts to set things right, and you may gain compassion.
13. Dilu be e don panen panen, a ka jo ni melo melo
Meaning: Avoid engaging in activities with serious repercussions.
14. Bi eyan ba a soko s’oja, o le lo ba ia l’onen
Meaning: Stay clear of undertaking endeavors with grave consequences.
15. Oni buuk’ e ka koolo bi s’upekun da le da ma
Meaning: Appearances can be deceptive.
16. Oju ya a bonen t’ale e e m’owuo kutu s’ipen
Meaning: It requires timely planning and readiness to succeed in an investment.
17. Ewu nbe loko longę, longę fun ara rę ewu ni
Meaning: You must be extremely cautious when dealing with things proven to be dangerous.
18. Oen enogun adoado ee gbayinyan win
Meaning: You should evade matters that lead to negative repercussions for yourself.
19. Aja eje ogungun ya gbe ko ghon ouon
Meaning: Whatever is entrusted to someone is meant to be well taken care of.
20. Kole si agba l loja, ki ori omo titun o wo
Meaning: You must conduct yourself maturely to prevent a bad reputation.
21. Ooun paoko soja oun oja paoko si
Meaning: One who provides will also receive.
22. Tabá so òkò sójà ará ilé eni ní bá
Meaning: Be mindful of how you treat others, as your actions might come back to you.
23. Omiyi iaya mon ee san gbonen ee
Meaning: You will indeed achieve whatever is fated for you.
24. Oso siko du ka, o wo si ko du see
Meaning: The problem appears insurmountable.
25. Anpe gbẹ́nàgbẹ́nà ẹyẹ àkókó ń yọjú
Meaning: Avoid holding yourself in too high esteem.
26. Die die je ma naja o siwin ku
Meaning: There should be some moderation, as matters shouldn’t be exaggerated.
27. Diedie nimú ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ẹ́ fi ń wọgbà
Meaning: Minor threats should be addressed before they spiral out of control.
28. Adiye funfun komọ ara rẹ̀lágbà
Meaning: Respect yourself.
29. Apeko to jęun, ki ję ibaję
Meaning: It is better to invest more time working on a reliable outcome than rushing to achieve a poor result.
30. Ile oba tojo, ewa lobusi
Meaning: Hardship often brings its advantages.
31. Ile la tin ko eso rode
Meaning: One’s behavior reflects their surroundings.
32. Ileọba tojoẹwà ló bùsi
Meaning: Hardship often brings its advantages.
33. Obekìí gbéinú àgbà mì
Meaning: You need to be able to keep secrets.
34. Ajo je o we yon
Meaning: There is great joy in collaboration.
35. Sesale oun e je Seike i
Meaning: Kindness fosters a lasting feeling.
36. Aja ole gbagbe l’oilo owuo
Meaning: It is commendable to show gratitude.
37. Ojoole igbad’e gbo i
Meaning: The one who doesn’t toil shouldn’t partake in meals.
38. Ni suru fun wa’a keneun i
Meaning: Patience can facilitate the completion of any task.
39. Igberaga lon siwaju iparun
Meaning: Pride goes before a downfall.
40. Koomo e kole fun enisimi
Meaning: Educate your offspring to prevent them from causing you trouble.
41. Dena enawo to gba e
Meaning: Tailor your plans according to your means.
42. Ee moiho Adewole
Meaning: A dignified person doesn’t suffer humiliation.
43. Litonen eeh’oi osan da m’aipan
Meaning: A significant individual should strive to support their family.
44. Aa e wowo di lotu e m a le gbe un
Meaning: One must acknowledge their responsibilities.
45. Ee doda maja, sugbon aja i gb’uha o so o i
Meaning: Close relationships may sometimes lead to conflicts, and it’s crucial to learn how to resolve them amicably.
46. Omiyi iaya amon e san gb’onen e
Meaning: God’s timing is always perfect.
47. Esin e da onen da ma ton gun
Meaning: Never give up.
48. Oleyo jikakaki oba, o ku boon ti a fon
Meaning: Justice will eventually catch up with the guilty.
49. Inu ikoko dudi ni eko fifun ti jade i
Meaning: A book should not be judged solely by its cover.
50. Onukan je nukan pawo ma
Meaning: A greedy person. 51. Isiro l’oko dido
Meaning: Evaluation is the key to success.
52. Aseju nirun aya, irun abe tito
Meaning: Hair in certain places is sufficient.
53. Moja mosa laa mo akinkanju loju ogun meaning restraint is a reasonable part of valor.
54. Iya ni otun iya ni osi, toju o ba fo, a ko ma wo bai bai ni
Meaning: Struggles encountered will undeniably create a shattered identity.
55. Oroyi sosi nilenu o buyo si. Iso ose ponla, iyo ose tu danu
Meaning: One finds themselves in a position to choose between two scenarios by analyzing the differences and drawbacks.
56. A tari ajanaku nkin seru omode
Meaning: A display of valor is not meant for the naive.
57. Ajekeni ana omoku neni, tani o mope aje ana lo pa omo je
Meaning: There was a warning yesterday and calamity struck today; who doesn’t understand that it is yesterday’s threat that caused the disaster.
58. Igigogoro magun miloju, latokere laati wo
Meaning: One avoids danger right from the outset.
phase.
59. Ninu odo adagun ni alakan ti le fo epo, t’odo ba di agadangba, a gbe alakan lo
Meaning one can boast only when the situation allows it.
60. Ejawo ninu apon tio yo, elogbomi’ila kana meaning abandon the outdated and explore something novel.
61. Enitobama muobo akoko se bi lagido
Meaning to capture a monkey, one must act like a monkey.
62. Omituntun ti ru, eja tuntun ti wonu e
Meaning it’s a new season, a new era.
63. Ki tan lara were koma ku “HOI”
Meaning even post-recovery, a person who was once mad would still exclaim “HOI” occasionally.
64. Enitoba ma ba esu jeun sibi e agun
Meaning you need a large spoon to dine with the devil.
65. Fi ori ti fi oriti lomu ki ori agba pa
Meaning prolonged effort leads to mature wisdom.
66. Ori leja fi la ibu ja
It is the head fish that swims in the waters.
67. A kin fi oju o loju shewo ka jare one does not succeed by delegating one’s responsibilities to another
68. Sonn Laarin Aje Nii Munii Pekoro pressures prompt one to take shortcuts
69. Aja to ba fe sonu on gbo fere ode A person who is shown the path but chooses to stray
70. Ojo to ro lo pe eye le ati adiye papo some circumstances cause a conflict among individuals
71. Pan sa o fura, pan sa ja, Aja ofura, aja jin! onile ti ko ba fura, ole lomako You ought to be cautious to avoid danger
72. Asoro iyanro ni o pa elenpe isaju ti o ni igba wuwo ju awo lo Choose your words wisely to avoid misinterpretation
73. Agbagba to je ese’bi e pe arayin jo To inform stakeholders about the necessity of managing a crisis stemming from their previous judgments
74. Bi egungun nla ba so wipe oun ko ri ejounto, ejounto naa ko ri egungun nla Respect leads to respect
75. tu ito s’oke, f’oju Gabar Be extremely furious
76. Mo nle eku si o; o n le ejo si mi An unjust relationship
77. T’owo omo re bo aso To restrain one’s excesses
78. Fi ori ejo/oka ho imu Joking about a serious matter
79. Fi ina si orule sun Being reckless
80. Fi aake k’ori be perseverant
81. a ja’di apere an unproductive endeavor
82. Ye igi fun To terminate
83. be ijo Maori do your part
84. Agba ofifo hollow vessel
85. fi enu fe ara bi abebe endure terribly
86. fi enu ho ara a foolish individual
87. kan idin ninu iyo an astonishing unpleasant event
88. fi idi fo igba scatter the issue beyond repair
89. fi idi pa igba Declining to leave when required
90. fi enu ko entrap oneself with risky statements.
91. gbe gun esin aayan To mislead
92. s’obe s’elu A flatterer
93. fi ori j’ona, gbo oorun ara e To exceed one’s limits
94. wo aago alaago se ise Blindly mimicking someone’s actions
95. fami lete, kii n puto si e Irritate me, and I’ll speak ill of you
96. Amuni buni eran Ibiye To be belittled
97. A pe ko to Jeun, Kii n jeun Ibaje The patient individual reaps the most
98. Ta lo mo Okolo e l’Oyo To inform someone they are unfamiliar
99. Ma gbe mi more Don’t mislead me
100. T’aa ba tori isu j’epo, aa tori epo j’esu To take initiative for another’s sake
101. Bu omisuru mu
102. Omi lo danu, agbe ko’do A form of solace, particularly when a woman has a stillborn
103. Akineni ni mosan kiama mu kikan To be comprehensively represented in a matter.
104. Agbon nse, oyin na nse, beesini ojo oloko ree kondu-kondu when those involved in a matter all assert their innocence despite clear evidence.
105. Ko s’eni ti f’obe to’nu je’su: When something negative occurs, everyone plays innocent.
106. Melo, melo laaso ninu oja, die n’iso oniru, die n’iso ologiri, eni ba so ni’so alaso, esinsin a boo Act on your responsibilities now
107. Aye laa jogun ore, boba ku tan, ogun ko seje Do it while you still have the chance
108. kaka ki eku ma je sese, afi she awadanu ni Refusing to accept defeat
109. Oun tin tan leegun odun ti n mu omo alaagba wa fowo rakara jeko Everything has its conclusion
110. Teni ni teni , b’apon sun isu a bu fu aguntan re It is your own
111. melo ni eera to wo wipe aran nyo oun lenu A newcomer lamenting about obligations
112. Ile ti a ba fi ito mo, iri ni yo wo Avoid shortcuts
113. Olowo o ni gba arodan ki iwofa lo oun agun mate. It is impossible for two leaders to be on a vessel
114. A kìí bá ara eni tan kí á fara eni nítan ya Do not abuse the advantages bestowed upon you
115. Abuni nje abuni, afinihan nje afinihan, ewo tun lewo ara ibadan ti nlo lojude ogunmola A jest that may ensnare someone else’s trouble
116. Ikunpa alagemo tonyole nrin, kambelete opolo ton gbe are re jale Approach life with caution
117. Orí tí yóó gbeni ní gbé aláwo ‘re ko ni. your fate lies in your hands
118. Ile la ti n ko eso rode charity starts at home
119. Eni tí ó n ko orin tí kò dún, o ṣa nfeti ara e gbo Be mindful of your conduct
120. Lapalapa ni ibere ete, ki eniti o ba ni ifo lehin orun kiyesi aara e Heed warning signs promptly
