Language Learning

1. Kedu otu e si ekwu "daalụ" n'Igbo?

   How do you say "thank you" in Igbo?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a basic expression in Igbo

   Grammar Note

   Igbo is a tonal language where high and low tones distinguish meaning

2. Biko, kwuo nwayọọ.

   Please speak more slowly.

   Usage

   A polite request to slow down speech

   Grammar Note

   "nwayọọ" is an adverb meaning "slowly / gently". "kwuo" is the imperative of "speak", and "Biko" in front makes it a polite request

3. Ị nwere ike ide ya maka m?

   I nwere ike ide ya maka m?

   Can you write that down for me?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to write something down

   Grammar Note

   "nwere ike" is the capability expression meaning "to have the ability to"

4. Gịnị bụ ihe okwu a pụtara?

   Gini bu ihe okwu a putara?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of an Igbo word

   Grammar Note

   "pụtara" means "means / came out". Igbo generally follows SVO word order

5. Ana m amụ Igbo — anyị nwere ike ịmụ ọnụ?

   Ana m amu Igbo — anyi nwere ike imu onu?

   I'm studying Igbo — can we practice together?

   Usage

   Used when looking for an Igbo language practice partner

   Grammar Note

   Igbo is a Niger-Congo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria

6. Kedu otu a si asụ ya?

   Kedu otu a si asu ya?

   How do you pronounce this?

   Usage

   Used to confirm pronunciation of an Igbo word

   Grammar Note

   Igbo has three tones (high, low, downstep) that are phonemically significant

7. Ị nwere ike inye m ndụmọdụ banyere akwụkwọ ọmụmụ asụsụ dị mma?

   I nwere ike inye m ndumodu banyere akwukwo omumu asusu di mma?

   Can you recommend a good language learning resource?

   Usage

   Used to ask for Igbo language learning resource recommendations

   Grammar Note

   Written Igbo has several orthographic variants in use

8. Kedu ka olumba ebe a dị?

   Kedu ka olumba ebe a di?

   What is the local dialect like?

   Usage

   Used to ask about regional variation in Igbo

   Grammar Note

   Igbo has many dialects; Central Igbo serves as the standardised variety

9. Ọ dị mmekọ asụsụ ebe a?

   O di mmekọ asụsu ebe a?

   Is there a language exchange event here?

   Usage

   Used to look for language exchange events

   Grammar Note

   "ọ dị" is the existential expression. It is essential for existential sentences in Igbo

10. Abụ m onye ọhụrụ n'ọmụmụ — biko nwee ndidi nye m!

    Abu m onye ọhụrụ n'omumu — biko nwee ndidi nye m!

    I'm a beginner — please be patient with me!

    Usage

    Used to say you are a beginner and ask for patience

    Grammar Note

    "nwee" means "have". "nwee ndidi" is an idiomatic expression for "have patience"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages