🇳🇬 Yoruba phrases

How to Say "No" in Yoruba

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Rara
"No" in Yoruba · say it like rah-rah

The most natural way to say "No" in Yoruba is Rara. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

used in more formal contexts
Bẹẹkọ
used to emphasize disagreement

When to use it

You can use 'Rara' when you want to refuse or disagree with something. It is a straightforward way to say no in everyday conversations. Use 'Kò' in formal situations, and 'Bẹẹkọ' when you want to stress your disagreement more strongly.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "No" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Yoruba

YorubaEnglish
Mo fẹ́ lọ, ṣùgbọ́n mo ní 'rara'.I want to go, but I say 'no'.
Ṣé o fẹ́ jẹun? Rara.Do you want to eat? No.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Rara' with 'Bẹẹkọ' and use them interchangeably, but 'Bẹẹkọ' is more emphatic.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Rara, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Yoruba with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a polite way to say no in Yoruba?

'Rara' is polite enough, but you can add 'Ẹ jọ̀ọ́' for extra politeness.

Learn Yoruba by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.