In the first part of this course, we laid the foundation. We learned how to greet, how to arrange a meeting, how to tell time, how to talk about the weather, how to welcome a guest, how to travel, and how to make a reservation. Those are the bones of daily life. They are essential. But bones alone do not make a body move. You need muscle. You need blood. You need the small, warm exchanges that turn strangers into friends and friends into family.
This second part is about that warmth. We are going to go deeper into the same six situations—arranging to meet, telling time, dates, the weather, entertaining guests, travel, and making reservations—but this time, we will focus on the conversations that happen around the main event. The small talk before the meeting. The jokes in the bus park. The stories told over a meal. The gentle negotiations that make Nigerian life flow.
Let us begin with a truth: in Nigeria, the phrase "How are you?" is not a question. It is an invitation. It is a door. When you ask someone Yaya lafiya? in Hausa or Báwo ni? in Yoruba or How you dey? in Pidgin, you are not just being polite. You are saying, “I have time for you. I want to hear your story.”
So let us learn to ask better questions. Let us learn to listen. Let us learn the words that make people feel seen.
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Arranging to Meet: The Follow-Up
You have agreed to meet. But now comes the real work. Confirming. Reminding. Rescheduling. Apologizing. These are the phrases that keep relationships alive.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Are we still meeting? Har yanzu za mu hadu? Ṣé a ṣìí pàdé? We still dey meet? Anyị ka ga-ezute? Min keɓi hawrugol?
I will call you Zan kira ka Mo máa pè ọ́ I go call you M ga-akpọ gị Mi noddataa ma
Call me when you arrive Kira ni idan ka isa Pè mí nígbà tí o bá dé Call me when you reach Kpọọ m mgbe ị bịara Noddanam tuma a yottii
I am running late Ina jinkiri Mo ń pẹ́ I dey late Ana m egbu oge Mi leelotoo
I am almost there Na kusa isa Mo fẹ́rẹ̀ dé I almost reach Ọ fọrọ nke nta ka m rute Mi ɓadii yottude
Can we push it to later? Za mu iya matsar da shi? Ṣé a lè suú sí ẹ̀yìn? We can shift am? Anyị nwere ike ịkwaga ya? Min mbaawi lottude?
Something came up Wani abu ya taso Nǹkan kan wáyé Something come up Ihe mere Ɗum waɗii
No problem at all Babu matsala Kò sí wàhálà No wahala Ọ dịghị nsogbu Hakkilo alaa
I will make it up to you Zan rama maka Mo máa sàn án fún ọ I go make am up M ga-akwụghachi gị Mi yoɓtataa ma
Thank you for understanding Na gode da fahimta Ẹ ṣé fún òye Thank you for understand Daalụ maka nghọta Jaraama famugol
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Telling Time: The Rhythm of the Day
Time in Nigeria is not just hours and minutes. It is the rhythm of the sun, the call to prayer, the opening of markets, the closing of shops. These phrases help you sync your life with that rhythm.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Early morning Da sassafe Ní kùtùkùtù òwúrọ̀ Early morning N'isi ụtụtụ Subaka subaka
Midday Tsakar rana Ọ̀sán gangan Midday Etiti ehihie Caka
Late afternoon La'asar Ní àgbàlá ọ̀sán Late afternoon N'uhuruchi Caka ɓennuɗo
Sunset Faɗuwar rana Ìwọ̀ oòrùn Sun dey go down Ọdịda anyanwụ Naange mutal
Dusk Magariba Àsìkò alẹ́ Evening time Mgbede Kikiiɗe
Midnight Tsakar dare Òru gangan Midnight Etiti abalị Caka jemma
Dawn Asuba Àárọ̀ Daybreak Ụtụtụ Barii
In a little while Nan da nan Láìpẹ́ Small time N'oge na-adịghị Seeɗa
Right now Yanzu haka Báyìí ná Right now Ugbu a Jooni
Too late Ya yi latti Ó ti pẹ́ jù E don too late Ọ gafeela Leelotii sanne
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Dates: Marking the Days
Dates are not just numbers. They are memories. They are birthdays, weddings, festivals, harvests. These phrases help you talk about the days that matter.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
What is today's date? Yau nawa ne? Ọjọ́ kí ni lónìí? Wetin be today date? Gịnị bụ ụbọchị taa? Hannde ndeeyi?
It is the first of May Yau daya ga Mayu Ọjọ́ kìíní oṣù May Na first of May Ọ bụ mbụ nke May Ko adi siilo
My birthday is... Ranar haihuwata ita ce... Ọjọ́ ìbí mi ni... My birthday na... Ụbọchị ọmụmụ m bụ... Ñalnde jibinam…
Happy birthday Barka da ranar haihuwa Ẹ kú ọjọ́ ìbí Happy birthday Ezi ụbọchị ọmụmụ Barka ñalnde jibinam
Happy new year Barka da sabuwar shekara Ẹ kú ọdún tuntun Happy new year Ezi afọ ọhụrụ Barke hitaande hesere
We will celebrate Za mu yi biki A máa ṣe ayẹyẹ We go celebrate Anyị ga-eme emume Min mbaɗata juhjo
It is a special day Rana ce ta musamman Ọjọ́ pàtàkì ni Na special day Ọ bụ ụbọchị pụrụ iche Ko ñalnde keeriinde
I will never forget this date Ba zan taɓa mantawa da wannan ranar Mi kì yóò gbàgbé ọjọ́ yìí I no go forget this date Agaghị m echefu ụbọchị a Mi yejjitataa ñalnde ndee
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The Weather: Reading the Sky
The weather in Nigeria is not a neutral topic. It is a matter of life and death. Farmers watch the clouds. Traders watch the rain. Travelers watch the harmattan. These phrases help you talk about the sky like a friend.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
The sky is clear Sama a buɗe take Ojú ọrun mọ́ Sky clear Igwe dị ọcha Asamaan laaɓi
The clouds are gathering Gajimare na taruwa Àwọ̀sánmà ń kóra jọ Clouds dey gather Igwe ojii na-achịkọta Duule ɗiɗa
It looks like rain Kamar ruwa zai yi Ó dàbí òjò E be like rain Ọ dị ka mmiri Wa'i ndiyam
The harmattan is here Harmattan ya zo Ọ̀yẹ̀ ṣe dé Harmattan don come Harmattan abịala Harmattan ari
It is very hot today Yau zafi sosai Ó gbóná gan lónìí Today hot well well Taa ọ na-ekpo ọkụ nke ukwuu Hannde ndiyam sanne
It is very cold today Yau sanyi sosai Ó tutù gan lónìí Today cold well well Taa ọ na-ajụ oyi nke ukwuu Hannde ɓuuɓri sanne
The wind is strong Iska na da ƙarfi Afẹ́fẹ́ ń lágbára Wind dey blow Ifufe na-efe ike Henndu no tiiɗde
The rain will not last Ruwa ba zai daɗe ba Òjò kò ní pẹ́ Rain no go last Mmiri agaghị adịte Ndiyam duumataa
We thank God for the rain Mun gode wa Allah da ruwa A dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ Ọlọ́run fún òjò We thank God for rain Anyị na-ekele Chineke maka mmiri Min yetta Alla ndiyam
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Entertaining Guests: The Second Helping
The guest has arrived. The food has been served. Now comes the real hospitality: the conversation, the laughter, the stories, the refusal to let them leave too soon. These phrases keep the warmth alive.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Please eat more Don Allah ƙara ci Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ jẹ sí i Abeg chop more Biko rie ọzọ Achu ɓeydu nyaamu
The food is delicious Abinci yana da daɗi Oúnjẹ náà dùn Food sweet well well Nri a na-atọ ụtọ Nyamdu welndeendi
Did you enjoy the food? Kun ji daɗin abincin? Ṣé o gbádùn oúnjẹ náà? You enjoy the food? Ị nwere mmasị na nri ahụ? A weltaake e nyamdu?
Let me get you more water Bari in kawo maka ruwa Jẹ́ kí n gbé omi wá fún ọ Make I bring water Ka m weta mmiri Mi addanaa ma ndiyam
Are you comfortable? Kana jin daɗi? Ṣé ó wù ọ́? You comfortable? Ị dị mma? A jaɓɓi?
Tell me about your family Faɗa mini game da iyalinka Sọ fún mi nípa ẹbí rẹ Tell me about your family Gwa m gbasara ezinụlọ gị Haalanam e ɓesngu ma
We have missed you Mun yi kewar ka A ṣe ìfẹ́ rẹ We don miss you Anyị na-atụ uche gị Mi jaŋgii ma
Stay a little longer Ka ɗan tsaya Dúró díẹ̀ sí i Stay small Nọọ ntakịrị Jooɗo seeɗa
You are always welcome Kullum maraba da kai Ẹ káàbọ̀ nígbà gbogbo You always welcome Ị na-abịa mgbe niile A jaɓɓaaɗo kala tuma
Greet your people for me Gaisa mutanenka a gare ni Kí ẹbí rẹ fún mi Greet your people for me Kelere ndị gị maka m Waraa yimɓe ma jaraama
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Travel: The Road and Its Stories
Travel in Nigeria is an adventure. The roads are long. The buses are crowded. The stories are endless. These phrases help you navigate the journey and the people you meet along the way.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Where are you traveling to? Ina za ka yi tafiya? Níbo ni o ń rìnrìn àjò lọ? Where you dey travel go? Ebee ka ị na-eme njem? Toy jahaataa?
I am traveling to Lagos Zan yi tafiya zuwa Legas Mo ń lọ sí Èkó I dey go Lagos Ana m aga Lagos Mi yahata Lagos
The journey is long Tafiyar tana da nisa Ìrìn àjò náà jìn Journey long Njem ahụ dị anya Jahaale ndaari
The road is bad Hanya ba ta da kyau Ọ̀nà náà kò dára Road bad Ụzọ ahụ adịghị mma Laawol boni
We are stuck in traffic Muna cikin cunkoson ababen hawa A wà nínú ìdìtẹ̀ ọkọ̀ We dey traffic Anyị nọ n'okporo ụzọ Min woni e laawol
How far is it? Nawa ne nisa? Báwo ni ó jìn tó? How far e be? Ebe ole dị anya? Ndee nisa?
I am tired Na gaji Ó rẹ̀ mí I don tire Ike gwụrụ m Mi ronkii
I am hungry Ina jin yunwa Ebi ń pa mí Hunger dey catch me Agụụ na-agụ m Mi wele
Let us rest here Mu huta a nan Ẹ jẹ́ ká sinmi níbí Make we rest here Ka anyị zuo ike ebe a Ndeen fooɗde ɗoo
We have arrived safely Mun isa lafiya A dé láàyò We don reach safe Anyị rutere n'udo Min yottii jam
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Making Reservations: The Final Confirmations
You have made the reservation. Now you need to confirm it, adjust it, or cancel it. These phrases help you handle the details with grace.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
I want to confirm my booking Ina so in tabbatar da ajiyata Mo fẹ́ ìjẹ́rìí ìforúkọsílẹ̀ mi I want confirm my booking Achọrọ m ikwenye ndoputa m Mi yiɗi tabitinde heblugol am
Is my table ready? Tebur na shirya? Ṣé tábìlì mi ti ṣetán? My table don ready? Tebụl m dịla njikere? Teebal am heblinaama?
Is my room ready? Ɗakina ya shirya? Ṣé yàrá mi ti ṣetán? My room don ready? Ọnụ ụlọ m dịla njikere? Suudu am heblinaama?
I need to change the date Ina so in canza ranar Mo nílò láti yí ọjọ́ padà I need change date Achọrọ m ịgbanwe ụbọchị Mi yiɗi waylude ñalnde
I need to change the time Ina so in canza lokaci Mo nílò láti yí àkókò padà I need change time Achọrọ m ịgbanwe oge Mi yiɗi waylude waktu
I need to cancel Ina so in soke Mo nílò láti fagilé I need cancel Achọrọ m ịkagbu Mi yiɗi haaytude
Is there a cancellation fee? Akwai kuɗin sokewa? Ṣé owó fagilé wà? Cancellation fee dey? Ụgwọ ịkagbu dị? Njoɓdi haaytugol woni?
Can I get a refund? Zan iya samun maidowa? Ṣé mo lè gba ìdápadà? I can collect my money back? Enwere m ike ịnweta nkwụghachi? Mi mbaawi heɓde ceedu am?
Thank you for your help Na gode da taimakonka Ẹ ṣé fún ìrànlọ́wọ́ rẹ Thank you for your help Daalụ maka enyemaka gị Jaraama ballal ma
Everything is fine Komai yana da kyau Ohun gbogbo dára Everything dey okay Ihe niile dị mma Koo fuu moƴƴi
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The Grammar Beneath the Second Layer
As you go deeper into these languages, you begin to notice the small structures that give them their character.
In Hausa, the verb yi means "to do" or "to make." It is used in hundreds of expressions. Yi tafiya means "to travel." Yi biki means "to celebrate." Yi haƙuri means "to be patient." The verb is a building block. You can construct almost anything with it.
In Yoruba, the verb ṣe means "to do" or "to make." It is similarly versatile. Ṣe ayẹyẹ means "to celebrate." Ṣe ìrànlọ́wọ́ means "to help." The language is built on verbs of action.
In Nigerian Pidgin, the verb dey is the engine of the language. It marks the continuous tense. I dey go means "I am going." E dey hot means "It is hot." We dey traffic means "We are stuck in traffic." The verb is simple, but it carries a world of meaning.
In Igbo, the verb me means "to do" or "to make." Me emume means "to celebrate." Me njem means "to travel." The verb is the heart of the sentence.
In Fulfulde, the verb waɗde means "to do" or "to make." Waɗde juhjo means "to celebrate." Waɗde jahaale means "to travel." The verb is the foundation.
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How to Practice the Second Layer
The first layer was about survival. The second layer is about connection.
Practice the follow-up questions. When someone answers a question, ask another. "You are going to Lagos? What will you do there? How long will you stay?" This is how conversations grow.
Learn to apologize. In every language, the ability to say "I am sorry" is essential. Practice Yi haƙuri. Ẹ má bínú. No vex. Ndo. Hakkilo.
Learn to express gratitude. Thank people for small things. Thank them for their time. Thank them for their patience. Na gode. Ẹ ṣé. Thank you. Daalụ. Jaraama.
Listen to how people actually talk. Watch Nigerian films. Listen to Nigerian music. Pay attention to the rhythm, the pauses, the laughter. Language is not just words. It is music.
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The Fifty-First Question, Part Two
There is one question that is not on the list. It is the question you ask yourself when you have learned all these phrases: Am I connecting?
Language is not just about getting things done. It is about being with people. It is about the small moments between the words. The shared laugh. The knowing nod. The silence that says, “I understand.”
In Nigeria, there is a saying: Ìrìn àjò ló ń pèé kí ò ní jìnnà. The journey is what makes the destination sweet. The words you learn along the way are not just tools. They are companions. They are the people you meet. They are the stories you tell.
So learn these phrases. Use them. But remember that the most important thing you can bring to any conversation is not your vocabulary. It is your presence. It is your willingness to be here, now, with this person.
And that presence needs no translation.
It is called love.
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