Transportation

1. Wia bus stop dey?

   Where is the bus stop?

   Usage

   The basic "where is" frame (Wia ... dey?)

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first and word order stays the same; dey expresses location. (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

2. I wan go Lagos.

   I want to go to Lagos

   Usage

   To tell a driver or ticket seller your destination; swap Lagos for any place

   Grammar Note

   go is the verb 'go' and takes the place directly, with no preposition (go Lagos). (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

3. How much be di taxi fare?

   How much is the taxi fare?

   Usage

   Settle the price before you ride; many taxis have no meter

   Grammar Note

   Questions do not invert; the frame is How much be ...? for asking a price. (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

4. Abeg, stop for here.

   Stop here

   Usage

   To tell the driver where you want to get off. for is the locative preposition "at"

   Grammar Note

   The locative preposition is for, not at/in (for here). (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

5. Which road we go take?

   Which route do we take?

   Usage

   For checking the route with a driver; road covers both "road" and "route"

   Grammar Note

   go before a verb marks the future. Word order stays as in a statement. (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

6. Wen di train go reach?

   When does the train arrive?

   Usage

   For asking an arrival time. Lagos and Abuja have light-rail lines

   Grammar Note

   reach means 'arrive'; the future is expressed with go. (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

7. I don miss road.

   I am lost

   Usage

   When lost, as an opening before asking a passer-by for help; follow with Abeg, help me

   Grammar Note

   don marks completion. miss road means 'lose the way'. (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

8. Abeg, help me.

   Please help me

   Usage

   For ordinary requests such as directions; in a real emergency shout Help! or call 112

   Grammar Note

   abeg softens a request (from 'I beg').

9. Go straight.

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   For giving directions or telling a driver; imperatives drop the subject

   Grammar Note

   Commands start with the bare verb (no subject). (Composed from common words by regular grammar; not a fixed phrase.)

10. Okada.

    Motorcycle taxi (okada)

    Usage

    Nigeria's motorcycle taxi. Fast but risky, and restricted on many city roads such as in Lagos. Agree the price before riding

    Grammar Note

    okada is the Nigerian word for a motorcycle taxi.

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