How to Say Thank You in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa (and How to Reply)

Quick answer: “Thank you” is Daalụ in Igbo, Ẹ ṣé in Yoruba and Na gode in Hausa. Below are the polite forms for elders, how to say “thank you very much”, how to reply, and how to say “welcome” to a guest.

Thank you in Igbo: Daalụ and Imeela

Daalụ (roughly DAH-ah-loo) is the everyday “thank you”. Add nke ukwuu to make it “thank you very much”.

You'll also hear Imeela, which carries the sense of “you have done well”. It's a warm way to thank someone who has gone out of their way for you, like a grandparent who cooked your favourite soup.

Igbo doesn't change the word itself for elders. Respect comes from how you say it: a title such as Mama or Papa, a calm voice, and receiving things with the right hand or both hands.

Try this: at dinner, every passed dish earns a Daalụ. Whoever forgets has to clear the table.

Thank you in Yoruba: Ẹ ṣé or O ṣé?

Yoruba has two forms, and children learn the difference early:

• Ẹ ṣé (roughly eh SHEH) is respectful. Use it with parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone older, or with more than one person.
• O ṣé is for friends, siblings and younger children.

Add gan-an for “very much”: Ẹ ṣé gan-an. To thank someone for their work, say Ẹ kú iṣẹ́, one of many Yoruba “Ẹ kú…” greetings that recognise what a person is doing.

When someone thanks you, a classic reply is Kò tọ́pẹ́: “it's not worth thanks”.

Try this: play “Ẹ or O?” Hold up a photo of a family member and your child has to choose the right “thank you” for them. Grandma always gets Ẹ ṣé!

Thank you in Hausa: Na gode

Na gode (roughly nah GOH-deh) means “I thank”, and it works with everyone. Add sosai for “very much”, or say Mun gode, “we thank”, when you're thanking on behalf of the family.

To someone working, say Sannu da aiki, a kind “well done for the work”. And when someone thanks you, reply Ba komai: “it's nothing”.

Try this: a “thank-you jar”. Each time your child says Na gode without being reminded, a button goes in the jar. A full jar means they pick the weekend film.

How to say “welcome” to a guest

Search for “welcome in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa” and you'll find two different meanings mixed up: welcoming a guest, and replying to “thank you”. Here they are side by side.

• Welcoming someone: Nnọọ (Igbo), Ẹ káàbọ̀ (Yoruba, respectful; Káàbọ̀ to a child), Barka da zuwa or Maraba (Hausa).
• Replying to “thank you”: Ọ dị mma (Igbo, “it's fine”), Kò tọ́pẹ́ (Yoruba), Ba komai (Hausa).

A lovely family habit: greet everyone who walks through the front door with the welcome word, children included. It takes two seconds and it's used every single day, which is exactly how words stick.

Why “thank you” is the perfect first word

“Thank you” is short, it's used many times a day, and it always gets a smile. For children growing up outside Nigeria, it's often the first word they use with grandparents on a video call, and the reaction they get makes them want to learn the next one.

Some ideas to build on it this week:

1. One word, many times. Swap your usual “thank you” for the family-language word at home for a whole week.
2. Practise the reply too. A conversation is two people. Teach “you're welcome” so your child can answer, not just start.
3. Call a grandparent. Let your child thank them for something specific, in their language. Then watch Grandpa's face.
4. Celebrate the attempt, not the accent. Tones take time. Praise every try and model the word again, gently.

If you're just starting out, our Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa greetings post is the natural next step, followed by good morning, afternoon and night in all three languages.