Please & thank you

Ẹ ṣé

• informalO ṣé

Respectful. To a friend or someone younger: O ṣé.

Daalụ

• alsoImeela

Na gode

literally “I thank”

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́

• informalJọ̀ọ́

Also used to mean 'excuse me' or to soften a request.

Biko

Don Allah

literally “for God('s sake)”

The ordinary everyday word for please, despite the literal reading.

Ẹ má bínú

literally “do not be angry”

• sympathyẸ pẹ̀lẹ́

For apology. Ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́ is different — it is sympathy, said to someone who has had a mishap.

Ndo

• apologyỌ dị m nwute

Sympathy rather than apology. For a genuine apology: Ọ dị m nwute.

Yi haƙuri

literally “have patience”

• sympathySannu

Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, ẹ gbà mí làáyè

literally “please, give me space”

Biko, gbaghara m

literally “please, forgive me”

Biko alone is enough to get someone's attention.

Gafara

literally “pardon”

Ó dàbọ̀

literally “it is until (we) return”

Ka ọ dị

literally “let it be”

Sai an jima

literally “until a while (has passed)”

Ó dọ̀la

literally “it is until tomorrow”

Ka ọ dị echi

literally “let it be tomorrow”

Sai gobe

literally “until tomorrow”