Homophones na common source of spelling errors. Homophones na words wey dem dey pronounce di same or for similar manner, but wey get different spellings or meanings. For dis article, we go examine common homophones for Naija Pidgin, kon show haw dese homophones-dem déy different from each oda.

way vs wey vs wer

• way: Na path, route or direction. Examples:
  • I no sabi di way.
  • Na di way be dat.
• wey: Na relative pronoun wey dem dey use insert adjective clause for inside sentence. Examples:
  • Dis na di man wey yu bin dey talk to.
  • My okada, wey I don dey use for five years now, don spoil.
• wer: Na adverb wey dem dey use ask question about place wey person or something déy for, dey go or dey come from. Also, na conjunction wey dem dey use introduce clause wey dey mention place wey something happen, or place wey person or something déy. Examples:
  • Wer yu dey gó?
  • Na wer dem born me be dis.

come vs kon

• come: Na to move towards or with di speaker. Also, na to reach one particular place. Examples:
  • Abeg come sharp-sharp.
  • I dey come Abuja tomorrow.
• kon: Na adverb of time wey dem dey use introduce action or event wey dey happen next or afterwards. Examples:
  • As I dey para for am, she kon talk sey she no go pay me my money.
  • If I settle di man now, e no go kon finish my work.

say vs sey

• say: Na to speak words, or to think or believe something. Examples:
  • She say she no like chocolate.
  • I go like hear wetin e want say.
• sey: Na subordinating conjunction wey dem dey use connect dependent clause to independent clause. E dey introduce reported speech or factual content clauses. Examples:
  • She talk sey mek I do all-back.
  • Yu happy sey class don finish?

make vs mek

• make: Na to produce or cause something. Examples:
  • I want make Eba for una.
  • Dis film dey make me cry.
• mek: Na grammatical marker for di subjunctive mood. Also, na subordinating conjunction wey dem dey use connect dependent clause to independent clause. E dey introduce purpose, intention, or directive clauses. Examples:
  • E déy important sey mek yu sabi wetin contract talk before yu sign am.
  • As time reach mek we land, di plane wing kon catch fire.

now vs na vs nau

• now: Without any delay or waiting, or di present time rather dan time wey déy for past or future. Examples:
  • Mek yu do am now.
  • I fit chop, but hunger no dey catch me right now.
• na: Na form of di verb “to be” wey dem dey use as identity marker or wey dem dey use define person or something. Also, dem dey use am form cleft sentences wey dey put emphasis for one particular element. Examples:
  • Dat girl na my sister.
  • Na today yu go see di real me.
• nau: Na sentence-final particle wey dem dey use for emphasis to convey tone of annoyance, frustration or playfulness. Examples:
  • No dey shout nau.
  • Wetin yu want mek I do nau?

day vs déy

• day: Na period of 24 hours. Examples:
  • Wich day yu arrive?
  • I no fit remember wetin happen dat day.
• déy: Wetin dem dey use describe di state of person or something. Examples:
  • E déy here.
  • She déy happy.