Greetings

1. Ị bọọla chi

   ee BOH-oh-lah chee

   Good morning / Welcome (you have arrived)

   Usage

   A set morning greeting. "Chi" refers to the day or the morning light

   Grammar Note

   "Ị bọọla chi" is the set morning greeting. In "bọọla" the suffix "la" marks the perfect aspect. Igbo is a tonal language, but this app does not write tone marks.

2. Ụtụtụ ọma

   oo-TOO-too OH-mah

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. "Ụtụtụ" means morning; "ọma" means "good/beautiful"

   Grammar Note

   "Ụtụtụ ọma" = "good morning" using time-of-day + adjective. "Ụ" is a vowel letter with a dot below that stands for a vowel distinct from "u" ([ʊ]).

3. Ehihie ọma

   eh-HEE-hee-eh OH-mah

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   Afternoon greeting. "Ehihie" means "afternoon/noon"

   Grammar Note

   "Ehihie" means the midday / early afternoon. "Ọma" is a general adjective meaning "good/beautiful."

4. Anyị dị mma

   AH-nyee dee MAH

   We are keeping ourselves well

   Usage

   Used as a response to wellbeing inquiries. "Anyị" means "we"

   Grammar Note

   "Dị mma" means "to be in a good state". "Anyị dị mma" means "we are well".

5. Daalụ

   DAH-ah-loo

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common thank you. Emphatic: "Daalụ nne/nna" (thank you, mother/father figure)

   Grammar Note

   "Daalụ" is the word for thanks. Regional alternatives include "imela." Igbo is a highly dialectal language with over 30 dialects.

6. Ndewo

   n-DEH-woh

   Hello / Greetings

   Usage

   The most general greeting. Regional variants: "Ndeewo" or "Ndee" depending on dialect

   Grammar Note

   "Ndewo" may derive from "nde (people) + wo (voice/word)." Igbo greetings are direct and often confirm existence or wellbeing.

7. Aha m bụ...

   AH-hah m boo

   My name is...

   Usage

   Basic self-introduction. State your name after "bụ"

   Grammar Note

   "Bụ" is the Igbo equative copula meaning "is/am." "M" is 1st person singular "I/my." Igbo follows SVO basic word order.

8. Kedu?

   KEH-doo

   How are you? / How is it going?

   Usage

   The most common wellbeing greeting. Reply: "Ọ dị mma" (I am fine / it is well)

   Grammar Note

   "Kedu?" is the interrogative "how/what" used alone as a greeting. Short for "Kedu ka ọ dị?" (How is it?). A key greeting in Igbo conversation.

9. Ọ dị mma

   oh dee MAH

   I am fine / It is well

   Usage

   Reply to "Kedu?" The word "mma" means "good/beautiful/right/correct"

   Grammar Note

   "Dị" is Igbo's locative/existential copula meaning "to be (in a state)." Distinction: "bụ" marks identity (=), while "dị" marks state/existence.

10. Ka ọ dị

    kah oh dee

    Goodbye / Farewell

    Usage

    General farewell. Also used as "ka ọ dị echi" (see you tomorrow)

    Grammar Note

    "Ka ọ dị" is a subjunctive farewell meaning "may it be (well)." Igbo subjunctive is introduced by "ka" (let/may), expressing wishes and intentions.

11. Ebee ka ụlọ mposi dị?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking the location of a toilet inside a building or public place

    Grammar Note

    "Ụlọ mposi" is the word for toilet (used on other cards too). "Ebee ka ... dị?" is the locative question structure meaning "where is ...?"

12. Enweghị m asụsụ Igbo

    I can't speak Igbo

    Usage

    Used to indicate you cannot speak Igbo. Often used as a preface to request help in another language

    Grammar Note

    Literally "I don't have the Igbo language." Igbo expresses language ability as "having" a language. Negation uses the "-ghị" suffix on the verb.

13. Ụra ọma

    OO-rah OH-mah

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay; literally "good sleep." Tone marks are essential — omitting them changes the meaning

14. Ọ dịghị egwu

    AW dee-GHEE EH-gwoo

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to "Daalụ" (thank you); literally "there's no worry"

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