Feelings

1. Obi dị m ụtọ

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Literally "my heart is sweet" — the basic way to say you are glad. Show it after a kindness

   Grammar Note

   "Obi" (heart) + "dị" (is) + "m" (to me) + "ụtọ" (sweetness) — the typical Igbo pattern of making a body word the subject.

2. Ọ masịrị m

   I like it

   Usage

   Literally "it pleased me" — the safest way to praise a dish or a place, usable with anyone

   Grammar Note

   "Ọ" (it) + "masịrị" (pleased) + "m" (me); the "ị" carries a dot.

3. Ọ bụ ihe ọchị

   That's funny

   Usage

   Literally "it is a thing of laughter" — a reaction to someone's joke

   Grammar Note

   "Ihe" (thing) plus "ọchị" (laughter); "ịchị ọchị" means "to laugh".

4. M ji gị eme ọnụ

   I'm proud of you

   Usage

   Literally "I make mouth with you" — I speak of you with pride. Use it to praise an achievement, including to someone older

5. Obi ruru m ala

   I'm relieved

   Usage

   Literally "my heart reached the ground" — for when a worry lifts, such as a lost item turning up

6. A hụrụ m gị n'anya

   I love you

   Usage

   Literally "I saw you in the eye". It works for family and friends as well as romance, but it is too heavy for a first meeting

   Grammar Note

   "Hụrụ" (saw) plus "n'anya" (in the eye) is the idiom for loving; the "ụ" carries a dot.

7. Agụụ gị na-agụ m

   I miss you

   Usage

   Literally "a craving for you is gripping me" — natural when parting or promising to return

   Grammar Note

   The verb "ịgụ" means to crave; the same pattern gives "agụụ na-agụ m" — I am hungry.

8. Ọ dị m mwute

   I'm sad

   Usage

   Literally "it is sorrow to me"; it also serves as condolence on hearing bad news

9. Naanị m nọ

   I'm on my own

   Usage

   Literally "only I am here" — an opener when travelling alone and wanting company

   Grammar Note

   "Naanị" (only) + "m" (I) + "nọ" (am present); the "ị" carries a dot.

10. Iwe na-ewe m

    I'm angry

    Usage

    Literally "anger is taking me" — a strong signal, so keep it for genuine complaints

    Grammar Note

    "Iwe" (anger) is the grammatical subject — the shared Igbo pattern of emotions seizing a person.

11. Ụjọ na-atụ m

    I'm afraid

    Usage

    Literally "fear is striking me"; use it when you feel unsafe

    Grammar Note

    "Ụjọ" (fear) + "na-atụ" (is striking) + "m" (me); the "ụ" carries a dot.

12. Ọ tụrụ m n'anya

    I'm surprised

    Usage

    Literally "it struck me in the eye"; it works for pleasant and unpleasant surprises alike

13. Ọ na-echegbu m

    I'm worried

    Usage

    Literally "it is troubling my thoughts" — for voicing concern about luggage or your health

    Grammar Note

    The verb "ichegbu" (to trouble) shares the root "-che" with "echiche" (thought).

14. Ihere na-eme m

    I'm embarrassed

    Usage

    Literally "shame is doing me" — for blushing at a compliment, or explaining that you dislike speaking in public

15. Ike gwụrụ m

    I'm tired

    Usage

    Literally "strength has run out on me" — after a long journey, and a polite way to ask for a break

    Grammar Note

    "Ike" (strength) + "gwụrụ" (ran out) + "m" (me); the "ụ" carries a dot.

16. Ụra na-atụ m

    I'm sleepy

    Usage

    Literally "sleep is striking me"; distinct from "ike gwụrụ m" — this is drowsiness rather than tiredness

    Grammar Note

    The same "it strikes me" pattern as "ụjọ na-atụ m" for fear.

17. Adị m mma

    I'm fine

    Usage

    The natural answer to "Kedu?" — how are you. It comes up in every greeting exchange

    Grammar Note

    "A-" (I) + "dị" (am) + "m" + "mma" (goodness).

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