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Lingawa (formerly Topset)

@lingawa_learn

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my family and i moved from nigeria to america when i was 2 years old. while growing up in the states has given me opportunities i’m deeply grateful for, immigration comes with its own risks too.

one of them is cultural erosion.

i grew up hearing yoruba, eating the food, surrounded by nigerian family and culture, yet somewhere along the way, my english grew with me and my yoruba is just trying its best. 🤣

i understand yoruba far better than i can speak it, and the older i get, the more i realize that preserving my culture requires intention. especially bc i’m gonna have children one day, and i can’t pass down a language i never took the time to even strengthen myself.

sooooo….yoruba proficiency is officially part of my great lock innnn for Q4!! 🇳🇬📚

i’m listening to more yoruba, speaking what i know, and working with a yoruba tutor through @lingawa_learn because i need structure + accountability if i’m really gonna move the needle towards proficiency.

if you’re nigerian-american or a british nigerian and your native language didn’t grow with you either, maybe it’s time we lock in together! 👀🇳🇬

dm me “yoruba” and i’ll send you the link to find your tutor at @lingawa_learn 💕🫶🏾

#LingawaPartner by @lingawa_learn

Finding my way back 🇳🇬🤎

Igbo is my mother tongue, but I never learned how to speak it fluently. So I’m changing that.

This journey is about more than learning a language it’s about reconnecting with a part of myself that’s always been there.

Thank you @lingawa_learn for helping me find my way back. 🥹🇳🇬

Want to learn your mother tongue too? Use my referral code OGE946 🧡

#LearningIgbo #NigerianAmerican #Igbo #MotherTongue #Lingawa by @lingawa_learn

10 things to know about saying "I have a headache" in Yorùbá

1. The phrase
Orí ń fọ́ mi. This is the common, expressive statement used to tell someone you are suffering from a headache

2. Literal meaning
"My head is breaking me." Rather than treating pain as a mild condition you "have," Yorùbá expresses severe discomfort as an active physical sensation being inflicted on you by the body part itself

3. Pronunciation
Oh-REE n foh MEE. Keep the tone rising to a high tone from rí, all through to fọ́, and finish on a mid tone on mi: Orí ń fọ́ mi

4. Break it down
Orí means head. Ń is the continuous action marker (is/are doing). Fọ́ means to break, shatter, or split. Mi means me. Together, Orí ń fọ́ mi translates literally to "Head is breaking me"

5. The physical worldview
In Yorùbá thought, physical pain is often described as an active force splitting or breaking open the body part. A throbbing headache feels as though the head itself is cracking apart from the inside

6. Who can you say it to?
You can say this to anyone when describing how you feel, whether an elder, a friend, or a doctor. The phrase describes your body's condition, so it stays the same regardless of who you are talking to

7. Dual meaning and figurative usage
Beyond a literal physical migraine, people often use "Orí ń fọ́ mi" figuratively when dealing with overwhelming stress, loud chaos, or complex problems that are making their head hurt!

8. Saying it about other people
You can swap the pronouns or add names to say someone else has a headache:
By name: "Seyi has a headache" becomes Orí ń fọ́ Ṣèyí
He / She: Orí ń fọ́ ọ
They / Older he/she: Orí ń fọ́ wọn
You (Junior / Peer): Orí ń fọ́ ẹ
You (Senior / Elder / Group): Orí ń fọ́ yin

9. Connect it to the last post
We recently looked at "O lawọ́" (You are generous / You split open your hand). While a generous friend uses their hands to share blessings with you, a sudden sharp stress or loud environment will leave you holding your temple and saying "Orí ń fọ́ mi!"

10.Go deeper
Discover the body-centered metaphors, expressive imagery, and cultural wisdom built into everyd by @lingawa_learn

Here are 9 things to know about saying "be careful" in Igbo
1. The phrase Kpachapụ́ ányā

2. Literal meaning "Trim your eyes"

3. Break it down Kpachapụ́ = trim / prune, Ányā = eye(s)

4. Pronunciation kpah-chah-POO AH-nyah

5. Why the eyes? Kpachapụ́ ányā doesn't mean pulling your eyes out; it means trimming away the cobwebs, distractions, and sleep from your vision so you can see clearly and stay safe

6. Ányā across expressions Remember Ị́ nwèrè ányā ukwuu ("you have a big eye/greedy")? The same eyes that can be greedy with desire are the ones you keep wide open to protect yourself in Kpachapụ́ ányā, or gaze with affection in Á hụ̀rụ̀ m gị́ n'ányá ("I love you")

7. Use it Someone is walking into a tricky situation. A friend is about to make a risky decision or drive down a rough road. Skip "be careful." Say Kpachapụ́ ányā and tell them to keep their vision sharp

8. Say it out loud Kpachapụ́ ányā. Feel the protective, alert energy in the command. Tag someone who always needs to keep their eyes wide open! 👁️🛡️

9. Go deeper Click the link in our bio and start your road to fluency with a free lesson 🕊️

#LearnIgbo #Igbo #LanguageLearning #IgboLanguage #IgboDiaspora by @lingawa_learn

To know her is to cherish her. 🌺✨

How the Verbs Connect:

Mọ̀ (To know): Deep recognition and understanding of her intrinsic worth
Kẹ́ (To cherish): The non-negotiable action of pampering, protecting, and honoring her
Together, Àmọ́kẹ́ establishes that true knowledge of a person naturally leads to deep affection

Related feminine Oríkì names:
Àníkẹ́: possessed to be cherished
Àmọ̀pẹ́: known only to be praised

In Yorùbá culture, Àmọ́kẹ́ is a cherished praise name given exclusively to women and girls. It sets an unspoken rule for her environment: every interaction with her must be rooted in honor and affection

#Yoruba #YorubaCulture #Amoke #Oriki #WordOfTheDay #NigerianNames #AfricanHeritage by @lingawa_learn

Here are 9 things to know about asking for peace in Igbo

1. The phrase
Enyela m nsogbu

2. Literal meaning
"Don't give me trouble"

3. Break it down
E nyela = do not give, M = me, Nsogbu = trouble / distress / disturbance

4. Pronunciation
eh-NYEH-lah m NSO-gboo

5. Why "trouble"?
Disturbing someone in Igbo isn't framed as a mild inconvenience. It's adding unnecessary nsogbu to their day, so asking someone not to disturb you is literally asking them to protect your peace

6. Nsogbu across expressions
You'll hear the same word in Ọ na-enye m nsogbu ("He/she is troubling me"). Nsogbu shows up whenever life, a situation, or a person is testing your patience

7. Use it
Someone is nagging you, bringing unexpected drama, or calling on repeat while you're busy. Skip "don't disturb me" and say Enyela m nsogbu, calm and firm

8. Say it out loud
Enyela m nsogbu. Right now. Notice how the boundary sits in the delivery, firm but not angry

9. Go deeper
Click the link in our bio and start your road to fluency with a free lesson 🕊️

#LearnIgbo #Igbo #LanguageLearning #IgboLanguage #IgboDiaspora by @lingawa_learn

10 things to know about saying "I am cold" in Yorùbá

1. The phrase
Òtútù ń mú mi.This is the natural, everyday phrase used to express that you are feeling cold or chilly

2. Literal meaning
"Cold is catching me." In Yorùbá, feelings and temperature states are expressed as external elements acting upon you rather than intrinsic states you possess

3. Pronunciation
Oh-TOO-too n MOO mee. Keep the tone low on Ò, rise to a high tone on the first tú, and finish on a mid tone on mi: Òtútù ń mú mi.

4. Break it down
Òtútù means cold or coldness. Ń is the continuous action marker (is/are doing). Mú means to catch, seize, or hold. Mi means me. Together, Òtútù ń mú mi translates literally to "Cold is catching me"

5. Dual meaning
Cold feeling vs. Catarrh/Illness: Òtútù means the temperature sensation of cold, but it also translates to a cold, catarrh, or flu. Saying "Òtútù ń mú mi" can mean you are shivering from the weather, or that you are coming down with a cold!

6. Who can you say it to?
You can say this phrase to anyone. Since it describes an environmental condition acting on your body, the wording remains the same whether talking to peers, elders, or children

7. Cultural worldview
Passive human experience: Yorùbá linguistic philosophy treats weather and sickness as active forces in the environment. You don't "become" cold; the cold actively reaches out and grabs you!

8. Saying it about other people
You can swap out the ending pronouns or names to say someone else is feeling cold:
By name: "Seyi is cold" becomes Òtútù ń mú Ṣèyí
He / She: Òtútù ń mú u
They / Senior person (Respectful): Òtútù ń mú wọn
You (Junior / Peer): Òtútù ń mú ẹ
You (Senior / Elder / Group): Òtútù ń mú yin
9. Connect it to the last post
We recently looked at "Ìyá àgbà" (Grandma / Elderly mother). Whenever "Òtútù ń mú mi" catches you on a rainy day, there is nothing quite like Ìyá àgbà wrapping you up in a thick blanket with a warm bowl of soup!

10. Go deeper
Unpack the active nature of Yorùbá grammar, cultural perspectives on health, and everyday vocabulary. Click the link in our bio and start your road to flu by @lingawa_learn

oh my gosh, this is SO cringe for me to watch 😭😂 but i’m sharing in solidarity with all my fellow language learners who are LOCKED IN this fall!! and for some accountability because we’re actually doing this thing

my third yoruba lesson is tomorrow and it’s been SO much fun!!

two of my biggest takeaways so far:

1️⃣ i actually know more yoruba than i thought!! my vocabulary is wider than i gave myself credit for. it’s really a matter of practicing speaking and recalling what i grew up hearing from my mom and dad. having structured lessons has been SO helpful with this!

2️⃣ mindset is half the battle. the minute i start feeling insecure believing the lie that i’m not “yoruba enough” or not “Nigerian enough”, I have to snap out of it and just own the fact that I AM A YORUBA GIRL!! my level of proficiency doesn’t make me any more or less yoruba. i’m simply learning to speak the language of my people with greater confidence.

anywhoooo, lesson three is tomorrow and i’m excited 🤭 HUGE shoutout to my amazing tutor Folasade!! now that i’m watching this video back, why do we actually kind of look like sisters?! hahaha

if you haven’t locked in with your own tutor at @lingawa_learn yet, consider this your sign!!

comment “YORUBA” and I’ll send you the sign up link to get started using my code (MUSTR966) today 🇳🇬

and to everyone who responded to my first post saying you wanted to learn Yoruba this fall, I NEED AN UPDATE!!

have we started taking action or is this still a goal sitting on our vision boards?! 👀 let’s hold each other accountable and keep it fun

xoxo by @lingawa_learn

Longed for, pleaded for, and deeply loved. 🌸✨

In Yorùbá culture, Àbẹ́fẹ́ is a poetic unisex Oríkì that speaks deep value over a person's life. It signifies that a child was prayed for, pleaded for, and received as a cherished gift.

Tag an Àbẹ́fẹ́ who needs to be reminded of their value today! 👇

#Yoruba #YorubaCulture #Abefe #Oriki #WordOfTheDay #NigerianNames #AfricanHeritage by @lingawa_learn

POV: Learning Igbo as an adult and your Igbo teacher becomes your bestie! 😂❤️

I’m officially starting my journey of learning Igbo, and I’m so excited! As an Igbo girl, being able to speak my language confidently is something I really want for myself. 🇳🇬

One thing I’m learning is that it’s never too late to reconnect with your roots, embrace your culture, and learn something new!

And guess what? You can start your own language journey too! Whether you want to learn Igbo or Yoruba, @lingawa_learn makes it possible to learn with a teacher who makes the experience fun and interactive!

So, this is your sign to stop saying, “I wish I could speak my language,” and actually start learning! 🤭

✨ Use my code NWOKA773 to get started, or simply click the link in my bio!

Let’s learn our languages together! ❤️

#LearnIgbo #LearnYoruba #Lingwa #AfricanLanguages #IgboLanguage #NigerianCulture by @lingawa_learn

Here are 9 things to know about saying "I am surprised" in Igbo

1. The phrase
ọ́ tùrù m n' ányá. Four parts: ọ́ (it), tùrù (overwhelmed), m (me), n' ányá (in the eye)

2. Literal meaning
"It overwhelmed me in the eye." The surprising thing hit so hard it went straight for your eye - the first place the world enters you

3. Why the eye?
Igbo locates surprise in the eye because that is where it actually lands. Before your brain processes it, before you speak, your eyes take the hit

4. Pronunciation
OH too-ROO m n'AN-ya. tùrù falls

5. ányá beyond surprise
You may have seen ányá before. A hụrụ m gị n'ányá — "I love you" — literally "I saw you in my eye." The eye in Igbo holds both love and shock. It is where the most powerful things happen

6. nà vs. tùrù
Notice this one has no nà. No continuous action. tùrù is complete, it already happened, it already landed. Surprise is not ongoing. It is a single moment of impact

7. Swap the object
ọ́ tùrù ya n' ányá = it overwhelmed him/her in the eye. Replace m (me) with ya (him/her) to talk about someone else's shock

8. Say it
Out loud. ọ́ tùrù m n' ányá. Let your eyes go wide when you say ányá. Your face already knows what this phrase means

9. Go deeper
Click the link in our bio and start your road to fluency with a free lesson 👁

#LearnIgbo #Igbo #LanguageLearning #IgboLanguage #IgboDiaspora by @lingawa_learn

10 things to know about saying "You are generous" in Yorùbá

1. The phrase
O lawọ́. This is the warm, celebratory expression used to compliment someone for being generous, giving, and kindhearted.

2. Literal meaning
"You are open-handed," Yorùbá culture views generosity as an active physical posture, where a person willingly splits open their hand to share resources rather than holding them tight in a clenched fist.

3. Pronunciation
Oh-lah-WAW. Keep the tone steady on O and la, and rise to a high tone on wọ́: O lawọ́.

4. Break it down
O means you. la means to split open. Wọ́ is a shortened version of ọwọ́, meaning hand. Together, O lawọ́ translates literally to "You’re open handed." showing that being generous is someone’s sole decision to give out of what they have to others.

5. The physical worldview
The hand (ọwọ́) is the ultimate instrument of action, transfer, and sharing in Yorùbá philosophy. While a closed fist hides resources, opening your hand allows blessings to flow both ways: out to others and back into your own life!

6. Saying it politely vs. direct praise
When speaking to an elder, mentor, or a group of people, use the respectful prefix: "Ẹ lawọ́."

7. Cultural context and etiquette
Giving praise like "O lawọ́" is often done after receiving a gift, financial help, or warm hospitality. It serves as both a sincere thank-you and an acknowledgement of their generosity.

8. Saying it about other people
You can swap the pronouns to praise generosity in others:
By name: "Ṣèyí is generous" becomes Ṣèyí lawọ́.
He / She: Ó lawọ́.
They / Older he/she: Wọ́n lawọ́.
You (Senior / Elder / Group): Ẹ lawọ́.

9. Connect it to the last post
We recently looked at "Mi ò mọ̀ ǹkankan nípa ẹ̀" (I am innocent / I do not know anything about it). While an accused person clears their name by keeping their hands clean of wrongdoing, a truly noble person uses those same hands to give generously: "O lawọ́!"

10. Go deeper
Unpack the body-based philosophy, rich metaphors, and social values embedded in everyday Yorùbá expressions. Click the link in our bio and start your road to fluency with a by @lingawa_learn