National Talk Like Yoda Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day - Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Arts & Entertainment Movie

Talk Like Yoda Day comes on May 21 as an opportunity for die-hard Yoda fans to honor the day we first met the wisest little green guy in the galaxy. Yoda is one of the most memorable movie characters in history. It’s not only the wise things Yoda says but how he says them that makes his character such an iconic piece of pop culture.

The master Jedi’s unique appearance and mysterious background make him one of the most interesting characters in the entire Star Wars universe, and with Disney Plus’ newest hit, “Mandalorian,” Yoda lovers are growing every day.

History of National Talk Like Yoda Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day celebrates the anniversary release of “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back,” where fans first meet Yoda in the swamps of the planet Dagobah. He famously trains Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi in order to defeat the malevolent ruler of the empire, Darth Vader, who is his father.

Yoda breaks hearts everywhere when he dies in the following movie, but his legacy continues.
Following a long hiatus, the Star Wars saga released a new prequel trilogy which features the younger Yoda. One of the few saving graces of the largely resented trilogy was the fight scenes in “Episode II: Attack of the Clones” when Yoda flexed his Jedi skills more than we’ve seen in any of the other live-action movies.

Yoda had a number of important positions, including Grand Master of the Jedi High Council, Master of the Jedi Order, and general during the Clone Wars. Other than that, Yoda’s backstory is full of mystery — very few of his species exist — and we don’t even know what planet he is from. However, he is said to be the oldest, wisest, and most powerful Jedi in the Star Wars universe.

Yoda’s character shines through his actions and values and we love him all the same. Today, 40 years after Yoda graced the Star Wars universe, people are still naming their pets and bulldogs after him. And, of course, switching around their sentence structures to speak just like him on National Talk Like Yoda Day.

National Talk Like Yoda Day timeline

2005

Anakin Skywalker and Yoda

Yoda pioneers the Jedi Council and makes efforts to help Anakin resist the dark side in the final episode of the prequel trilogy, “Revenge of the Sith.”

2002

Yoda Flex

Yoda displays his dueling abilities for the first time on the big screen in an epic battle against his former apprentice Count Dooku.

1999

Young Yoda

A younger Yoda is re-introduced when the Star Wars franchise debuts its first prequel, “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” set approximately 35 years before the events in “The Empire Strikes Back.”

1983

Goodbye Yoda

Yoda famously takes his last breaths in “Return of the Jedi.”

1980

Hello Yoda

Yoda makes his first debut in George Lucas’s second Star Wars film, “The Empire Strikes Back.”

National Talk Like Yoda Day FAQs

What is Yoda’s speech pattern?

Yoda’s syntax follows a distinctly different pattern. For the most part, his sentences follow the object-subject-verb pattern. For example, here is a famous Yoda line from Star Wars. “Powerful (object) you (subject) have (verb) become; the dark side (object) I (subject) sense (verb) in you.” All of these sentences contain a subject and a predicate.

What is Yoda’s eye color?

Yoda’s eyes can be described as a mix between yellow and green. They could be called “Amber Eyes”.

How would Yoda say ‘Merry Christmas?’

Yoda would say, “A Merry Christmas you must have.”

5 Fun Facts About Yoda

  1. Muppets in space!

    The original Yoda was voiced and puppeted by Frank Oz, also famous for performing the muppet characters of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam the Eagle.

  2. Buffy the Sith Slayer

    Buffy was the name Lucas originally had planned for the character but screenwriter Leigh Brackett changed it to Minch Yoda, later dropping the “Minch.”

  3. The meaning of Yoda

    Brackett chose the name Yoda because it is Sanskrit for Warrior, which felt more fitting for his Jedi personality.

  4. Yoda Bat

    A newly discovered species of fruit bat found in a remote rain forest in New Guinea was named the Yoda Bat for bearing a striking resemblance to the George Lucas character.

  5. All-natural Yoda

    George Lucas put off making the Star Wars trilogy because he feared Yoda couldn’t be made to adequately fight without having to rely on CGI. The problem was ultimately solved by the use of an animatronic muppet version of Yoda and some clever camera work.

How To Celebrate National Talk Like Yoda Day

  1. Talk like Yoda!

    Difficult it is not. Add the verb and subject at the end of your sentence in the order of object-subject-verb. Say ‘yes’ and ‘mmm’ for a bonus!

  2. Have a Star Wars Marathon

    Get ready to fall in love with Yoda by watching Star Wars either in the story’s chronological order or the release order. Many fans have strong opinions on which movie in the series to watch first, but it’s really up to you.

  3. Dress the part

    Throw on your favorite Star Wars shirt or full-on outfit and let your inner nerd free!

Why Talk Like Yoda Day, We Love

  1. Small he is, but mighty

    Yoda is a quintessential example of a character that’s way more powerful than they appear. When we are first introduced to him, he allows Luke to view him as a feeble, crazy old man, but soon reveals that he is the Jedi Master Luke has been searching for.

  2. Wise, he is

    Famous for saying things like “Wars not make one great,” and “do or do not, there is no try,” Master Yoda’s ability to speak with profound weight is one of the reasons he is so adored.

  3. Shows restraint, he does

    Clever, cunning, and charismatic, Yoda still displays incredible restraint when necessary, and only uses the force as a means of self defense.

Also on Wed May 21, 2025...

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May 21