Adjectives

1. Ukwu

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. Nta

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. Dị arọ

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. Adịghị arọ

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. Dị ọnụ

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. Dị ọnụ ala

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. Ọkụ

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Ọkụ is hot to the touch; hot weather is okpomọkụ, a separate word.

8. Jụrụ oyi

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Jụrụ oyi describes a cold object; cold weather is simply oyi.

9. Ọhụrụ

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. Ochie

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    Ochie is for objects only; for people use agadi.

11. Na-eto eto

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. Agadi

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. Dị ọcha

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness, and for praising a view

14. Ruru unyi

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. Ọma

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. Ọjọọ

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. Dị nso

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. Dị anya

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. N'oge

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    Means early or on time; fast in speed is ọsọ ọsọ.

20. Ọ gafeela oge

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the time has passed"; slow in speed is nwayọọ.

21. Ọtụtụ

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. Ole na ole

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. Okpomọkụ

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for heat, used as okpomọkụ na-adị ("it is hot").

24. Oyi

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for cold, used as oyi na-atụ m ("I am cold") — needed during the harmattan season.

25. Mara mma

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals

26. Ụtọ

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

27. Ọ dị egwu!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

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