Electronics

1. Ekwentị

   Phone

   Usage

   Covers both the handset and the act of calling, mobiles included

   Grammar Note

   The final "ị" carries a dot; it is never written "ekwenti".

2. Kọmputa

   Computer

   Usage

   The word to use at an internet café or a guesthouse business corner; for a laptop the English word works

3. Chaja

   Charger

   Usage

   For borrowing or buying one; a common word at a guesthouse reception

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "charger"; the verb is "ịchaja".

4. Eriri chaja

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Literally "charger cord"; in a shop just say "USB-C" or "Lightning"

   Grammar Note

   "Eriri" covers string, rope and cable generally.

5. Batrị

   Battery

   Usage

   Covers disposable cells and built-in batteries alike; for a power bank the English term is understood as-is

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "battery"; the final "ị" carries a dot.

6. Ọkụ

   Electricity / fire

   Usage

   Literally fire or heat, but also used for electricity. In everyday Nigerian speech people say "light" — "NEPA has taken light" means the power is out. Ask your guesthouse whether there will be power today

   Grammar Note

   Both "ọ" and "ụ" carry dots; the same word gives "ahụ ọkụ" — fever.

7. Jenereto

   Generator

   Usage

   Guesthouses and shops that stay open through an outage have one — worth asking before you book. In speech "gen" is understood

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "generator".

8. Oriọna

   Lamp / lantern

   Usage

   The lamp people light during an outage, still in daily use in village homes; useful when asking what light a guesthouse has when the power goes

9. Wi-Fi

   Usage

   Used as-is. Most people rely on mobile data, and guesthouse Wi-Fi is often unreliable

10. Kaadị SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    Registration requires your passport and biometric NIN linkage; the main networks are MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile

    Grammar Note

    "Kaadị" is borrowed from English "card"; the final "ị" carries a dot.

11. Igwefoto

    Camera

    Usage

    Literally "photo machine". Always ask before photographing people, and never photograph government buildings, military sites, airports or bridges — it draws trouble at checkpoints

    Grammar Note

    Coined from "igwe" (iron, machine) and "foto" (photo).

12. Igwe onyonyo

    Television

    Usage

    Literally "image machine"; in speech people also just say "TV". Useful when checking room facilities

    Grammar Note

    Coined from "igwe" (machine) and "onyonyo" (image, reflection).

13. Redio

    Radio

    Usage

    Igbo-language stations broadcast across the south-eastern states — a good way to hear the language on a long drive

14. Firiji

    Fridge

    Usage

    Useful when looking for self-catering lodging or when medication needs refrigerating; long outages spoil the contents

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English "fridge".

15. Igwe ịsa akwa

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "machine for washing clothes"; hand washing is the norm, so many places have none

    Grammar Note

    "Igwe" (machine) + "ịsa" (to wash) + "akwa" (cloth); tone distinguishes "akwa" from "Àkwá" (egg) and from "crying".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages