Talking About Weather and Seasons in Yoruba

In our previous lessons, we learnt about how you can express yourself when asking about direction and places. Today, we shall be taking a step forward in our free Yoruba lessons by learning how you can relate with other people in Yoruba language when talking about seasons and weather.


Weather and seasons play a significant role in our daily lives, influencing our activities and moods. In Yoruba culture, understanding and discussing weather and seasonal changes is essential for daily communication. In this lesson, we'll explore Yoruba words for different weather conditions, discuss seasonal changes in Yoruba culture, and learn how to express preferences and opinions about the weather.

YORUBA WORDS FOR DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS:
Let's begin by learning common Yoruba words for various weather conditions.

A) General Weather Terms: 
(i) Ojú ọjọ́: Weather
(ii)  Oòrùn: Sun
(iii)  Òjò: Rain
(iv)  Afẹ́fẹ́: Wind
(v)  Ìrì: Dew
(vi) Yìnyín: Snow/Hail
(vii)  Àrá: Thunder
(viii)  Mọ̀nàmọ́ná: Lightning
(ix) Ìgbóná: Heat
(x) Òtútù: Cold
(xi) Ìkùukùu: Cloud

B) SPECIFIC WEATHER CONDITIONS:
(i) Ojú ọjọ́ dára: The weather is good
(ii) Ojú ọjọ́ burú: The weather is bad
(iii) Oòrùn ń ràn: The sun is shining
(iv) Òjò ń rọ̀: It is raining
(v) Afẹ́fẹ́ ń fẹ́: The wind is blowing
(vi) Ó gbóná: It is hot
(vii) Ó tutù: It is cold
(viii) Àrá ń sán: Thunder is sounding
(ix) Mọ̀nàmọ́ná ń kọ: Lightning is flashing

SEASONAL CHANGES IN YORUBA CULTURE:
Yoruba culture recognizes distinct seasonal changes, primarily the rainy season (àkókò òjò) and the dry season (àkókò ẹ̀ẹ̀rùn).

1) Àkókò Òjò (Rainy Season): 
a) This season is characterized by frequent rainfall, typically from April to October.
b) It is a time for planting crops and agricultural activities.
c) People often use umbrellas (aburada) and wear raincoats (aṣọ òjò).
d) The rainy season is very important for the farmers.

2) Àkókò ẹ̀ẹ̀rùn (Dry Season): 
a) This season is characterized by dry weather, typically from November to March.
b) It is a time for harvesting crops and engaging in various cultural festivals.
c) People often experience harmattan, a dry and dusty wind.
d) It is the time for various traditional festivals.

Expressing Preferences and Opinions About Weather:
Let's learn how to express your preferences and opinions about the weather in Yoruba.

1) Expressing Preferences: 
a)  Mo fẹ́ran ojú ọjọ́ tó dára. (I like good weather.)
b)  Mi ò fẹ́ òjò. (I don't like rain.)
c) Mo fẹ́ oòrùn. (I like sunshine.)
d) Mo fẹ́ran afẹ́fẹ́. (I like wind.)
e)  Mo fẹ́ àkókò òjò. (I like rainy season.)
f) Mo fẹ́ àkókò ẹ̀ẹ̀rùn. (I like dry season.)

2) Expressing Opinions: 
a)  Ojú ọjọ́ yìí dára gan-an. (This weather is very good.)
b)  Òjò yìí pọ̀ jù. (This rain is too much.)
c) Ìgbóná yìí le gan-an. (This heat is very intense.)
d) Òtútù yìí tutù jù. (This cold is too cold.)
e) Mo rò pé òjò máa rọ̀ lónìí. (I think it will rain today.)
f) Mo rò pé oòrùn máa ràn ní ọ̀la. (I think the sun will shine tomorrow.)

Example Conversations: 
A: "Báwo ni ojú ọjọ́ ṣe rí lónìí?" (How is the weather today?)
B: "Ó gbóná gan-an. Mi ò fẹ́ ìgbóná." (It is very hot. I don't like heat.)

A: "Mo fẹ́ àkókò òjò. Àwọn irúgbìn mi ń dàgbà." (I like the rainy season. My crops are growing.)
B: "Àmọ́, mo fẹ́ àkókò ẹ̀ẹ̀rùn bakana, nitori mo fẹ́ ikore." (But, I like the dry season too because I like harvest.)

Tips for Learning:
•  Pay attention to the weather and practice describing it in Yoruba.
•  Listen to Yoruba news broadcasts for weather reports.
•  Use flashcards to memorize weather vocabulary.
•  Practice speaking with other Yoruba speakers.

Conclusion:
Talking about weather and seasons is an essential part of daily communication in Yoruba. By learning the appropriate vocabulary and expressions, you can confidently discuss weather conditions and seasonal changes. Remember to practice regularly.