Animals

1. Nkịta

   Dog

   Usage

   Guard dogs are common; also the word you need if you were bitten

2. Nwamba

   Cat

   Usage

   A domestic cat; the English-derived "pusi" is also used every day

3. Nnụnụ

   Bird

   Usage

   The forest zone is rich in birdlife; note the two dotted "ụ"

4. Azụ

   Fish

   Usage

   The same word for a live fish and for fish as food; smoked fish ("azụ ọkụ") is essential to Igbo cooking. Tonally distinct homographs mean "back" and "behind", so point at the fish in the market

5. Ehi

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   Beef is "anụ ehi"; some dialects say "efi"

6. Ezi

   Pig

   Usage

   Show this to check for pork if you avoid it for religious reasons. Tonally distinct homographs mean "outer compound" and "good", so keep it to food contexts

7. Ọkụkọ

   Chicken

   Usage

   Both the live bird and the meat; in markets they are usually sold alive

8. Ewu

   Goat

   Usage

   The most familiar livestock in Igbo life; goat dishes such as "isi ewu" are party staples

9. Atụrụ

   Sheep

   Usage

   Less common than goats but kept in villages

10. Ebule

    Ram

    Usage

    Presented at festivals and ceremonies; it is also used as a personal name and symbolises strength

11. Anyịnya

    Horse

    Usage

    Rare in the south-east; you see them brought from the north for festivals and chieftaincy processions. "Anyịnya igwe" — iron horse — means bicycle

12. Enyi

    Elephant

    Usage

    In Nigeria they survive only in Cross River and Yankari, not in Igboland itself. A tonally distinct homograph means "friend", so make sure the context is clearly about the animal

13. Agụ

    Leopard

    Usage

    A symbol of authority and courage in Igbo culture, used in chieftaincy titles and names, though rarely seen in the wild. Tonally distinct homographs mean "hunger" and "grassland"

14. Ọdụm

    Lion

    Usage

    Wild lions barely survive in Nigeria; the word appears mostly in zoos, names and titles

15. Enwe

    Monkey

    Usage

    Found in forest patches and sacred groves; in some communities they are protected and must not be harmed

16. Mbe

    Tortoise

    Usage

    The trickster hero of Igbo folktales who outwits the strong. Mention it to children and the conversation takes off

17. Agwọ

    Snake

    Usage

    An emergency word when walking through grass; show it at a clinic if you were bitten. Some communities treat the python ("eke") as sacred and killing one causes serious offence

18. Ngwere

    Lizard

    Usage

    The orange-headed agama lizards sunning themselves on walls and roofs everywhere; harmless

19. Awọ

    Frog / toad

    Usage

    You will hear them at night through the rainy season, April to October

20. Oke

    Rat

    Usage

    Report one to reception with this word. Tonally distinct homographs mean "share", "boundary" and "male", so point at the animal

21. Ụsụ

    Bat

    Usage

    South-eastern towns have roost trees where huge colonies of fruit bats stream out at dusk

22. Anwụnta

    Mosquito

    Usage

    All of Nigeria is malarial; bring a net ("akwa anwụnta"), repellent and prophylaxis

23. Ochịcha

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Report one at reception with this word

24. Ndanda

    Ant

    Usage

    They arrive if food is left out; some species bite, so check the ground before you sit down

25. Ijiji

    Fly

    Usage

    They gather on food at stalls and markets — a common comment when eating outside

26. Udide

    Spider

    Usage

    Nearly all are harmless; show this to a doctor if you were bitten

27. Aṅụ

    Bee

    Usage

    Needed if you have a bee allergy; the same word also means honey

    Grammar Note

    The dotted "ṅ" marks a velar nasal in Igbo orthography; "anu" without the marks is a different word.

28. Akpị

    Scorpion

    Usage

    Shake out your shoes before putting them on if you sleep outdoors; show this word at an emergency room if stung

Browse all TravelPhrases languages