Time Expressions and Temporal Words in Yoruba

Overview

At the A2 level, expanding your temporal vocabulary beyond basic day names and time-of-day words enables you to discuss schedules, durations, and sequences of events more precisely. Since Yoruba verbs do not conjugate for tense, time expressions are the primary way to situate events in time. These words and phrases are essential tools for clear communication about when things happen.

Key temporal words include: lónìí (today), lọ́la/ọ̀la (tomorrow), lánàá (yesterday), nísisìnyí (now), lẹ́yìn náà (after that), ṣáájú (before), and nígbà tí (when). More specific expressions cover months (oṣù), years (ọdún), weeks (ọ̀sẹ̀), and hours (wákàtí, borrowed from Arabic).

Understanding temporal expressions also involves learning how they interact with aspect markers. "Mo lọ lánàá" (I went yesterday) uses no aspect marker for a simple past, while "Mo ti lọ" (I have gone) uses the perfect marker ti for present relevance. The time expression provides the temporal frame, while the aspect marker provides the aspectual perspective.

How It Works

Basic temporal words:

Yoruba	English
lónìí	today
lọ́la / ọ̀la	tomorrow
lánàá	yesterday
nísisìnyí	now
ṣáájú	before
lẹ́yìn náà	after that, afterwards
nígbà tí	when
tẹ́lẹ̀	previously, formerly

Duration and frequency:

Yoruba	English
ọ̀sẹ̀	week
oṣù	month
ọdún	year
wákàtí	hour
ìṣẹ́jú	minute
nígbà gbogbo	always
lẹ́ẹ̀kọ̀ọ̀kan	sometimes

Examples in Context

Yoruba	English	Note
Mo máa lọ lọ́la.	I will go tomorrow.	Future + time
Ó wá lánàá.	He/She came yesterday.	Past + time
Kí ni wákàtí?	What time is it?	Time question
Oṣù mélòó ni o ti wà níbí?	How many months have you been here?	Duration question
Nísisìnyí, mo ń ṣiṣẹ́.	Right now, I am working.	Present moment
Ó lọ ṣáájú mi.	He/She went before me.	Sequencing
Lẹ́yìn náà, a jẹun.	After that, we ate.	Sequencing
Ọdún tó ń bọ̀.	Next year.	Future time reference
Ọ̀sẹ̀ tó kọjá.	Last week.	Past time reference
Nígbà gbogbo ni mo máa ń lọ.	I always go.	Habitual + frequency

Common Mistakes

Relying on Aspect Markers Alone for Time Reference

• Wrong: Mo ti lọ. (I have gone.) when you want to say "I went yesterday."
• Right: Mo lọ lánàá. (I went yesterday.)
• Why: Aspect markers indicate aspectual perspective, not specific time. Add time expressions for precise temporal reference.

Confusing lọ́la (tomorrow) and lánàá (yesterday)

• Wrong: Mixing up these similar-sounding words.
• Right: Drill them as a set: lánàá (yesterday), lónìí (today), lọ́la (tomorrow).
• Why: These are high-frequency words that must be automatic.

Not Using nígbà tí for "When" Clauses

• Wrong: Tí mo dé, ó ti lọ. (missing nígbà)
• Right: Nígbà tí mo dé, ó ti lọ. (When I arrived, he had gone.)
• Why: "When" as a temporal conjunction is nígbà tí, not tí alone (tí alone means "that/which" in relative clauses).

Practice Tips

1. Keep a time diary in Yoruba: Write down when you do things using Yoruba time expressions. This builds automatic association between activities and temporal words.
2. Practice sequencing events: Describe a series of events using ṣáájú (before) and lẹ́yìn náà (after that): "Ṣáájú, mo jẹun. Lẹ́yìn náà, mo lọ sí ibi iṣẹ́."
3. Ask and answer time questions: Practice "Nígbà wo?" (When?) and "Wákàtí mélòó?" (What time?) exchanges.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Time and Days of the Week -- basic time vocabulary
• Prerequisite: Perfect Aspect (Ti) -- aspect and time work together