Nigerian English→English

Translate Nigerian English to English the way locals mean it.

Nigerian English often uses familiar English words as greetings, softeners, or indirect cues, so a literal reading can miss what the speaker is asking or implying.

Going the other way? English to Nigerian English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between English varieties

What locals actually say

Well done o, you’re still working at this time?

You’re still working? Hope you’re doing alright.

Well done is often a greeting or acknowledgement to someone who is working, not necessarily praise for completing a task, while o adds emphasis and a conversational tone.

Please, I’m coming.

Please wait, I’ll be back shortly.

I’m coming can mean I’m stepping away briefly and will return, rather than saying that the speaker is currently on the way.

Is it by force?

Do I have to?

By force is used to question whether something is compulsory, often with a mildly irritated or teasing tone.

Please, borrow me ₦2,000 till tomorrow.

Please lend me 2,000 naira until tomorrow.

Borrow me is a Nigerian English construction that uses borrow where standard English uses lend, signalling a request for a temporary loan.

I will branch at the filling station.

I’ll turn off at the filling station.

Branch means turn off a main road in Nigerian English, often using a familiar landmark as the reference point.

I want to take swallow with this soup.

I’d like some pounded yam with this soup.

Swallow is the Nigerian food term for a soft starchy accompaniment eaten with soup, such as pounded yam or eba.

My senior sister is putting to bed during the festive period.

My older sister is due to give birth during the festive period.

Senior sister means older sister, while putting to bed is a Nigerian English euphemism for giving birth.

This harmattan is dealing with us.

The harmattan haze is really harsh.

Dealing with us is a local way to describe severe conditions, and harmattan refers to the dry, dusty seasonal haze.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Nigerian English differs

Nigerian English. British spelling; Nigerian expressions where register allows (well done as a greeting to someone working, trek for walk, go-slow for traffic jam); casual tone may echo light Pidgin rhythms without switching into full Pidgin.

Sound like a local everywhere, not just here.

Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way