Basic Nouns

1. Mmiri

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water, understood in any eatery or shop

2. Nri

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food — a way into asking where you can eat

3. Ego

   Money

   Usage

   The base word for anything about paying or changing currency

4. Mposi

   Toilet

   Usage

   Essential when asking directions. The word alone usually does the job

5. Tishu

   Tissue

   Usage

   Needed at toilets and street stalls that provide no paper

6. Ọgwụ

   Medicine

   Usage

   Use it at a pharmacy while miming your symptom

7. Ngwongwo

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking, carrying or collecting bags — common at airports and hotels

8. Igodo

   Key

   Usage

   For room keys and locker keys

9. Tiketi

   Ticket

   Usage

   Transport or entry tickets. Combine it with a number at the counter

10. Paspọtụ

    Passport

    Usage

    Requested at check-in and currency exchange, and the word you need if it goes missing

11. Ekwentị

    Phone

    Usage

    Usually covers both the device and the act of calling

12. Chaja

    Charger

    Usage

    For borrowing or buying one — often needed at a hotel front desk

13. Ọdụ ụgbọ

    Station

    Usage

    A landmark word when asking for directions

14. Ụlọ ọgwụ

    Hospital

    Usage

    For when you fall ill — works as a destination in a taxi

15. Ndị uwe ojii

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents. Even the bare word conveys urgency

16. Ụlọ ahịa

    Shop

    Usage

    The base word when asking where to buy something

17. Ọnụ ụlọ

    Room

    Usage

    For accommodation — checking vacancies or explaining a room number

18. Ụzọ

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, ideally while pointing at a map

19. Ezinụlọ

    Family

    Usage

    A guaranteed small-talk topic. Add a number and the conversation keeps going

20. Aha

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. Isi

    Head

    Usage

    Point at the card and at your own head to show where it hurts

22. Anya

    Eye

    Usage

    For eye trouble, and when asking a pharmacy for eye drops

23. Ntị

    Ear

    Usage

    For earache or trouble hearing

24. Imi

    Nose

    Usage

    For a blocked nose or a nosebleed

25. Ọnụ

    Mouth

    Usage

    Mouth as a body part. A same-spelling word with different tone also means "price", so point at your own mouth as you show it

26. Eze

    Tooth

    Usage

    For toothache. A same-spelling word with different tone means "king", so point at your mouth as you show it

27. Akpịrị

    Throat

    Usage

    For a sore throat, at a pharmacy or a clinic

28. Olu

    Neck

    Usage

    For neck pain. The same spelling can also mean "voice", so touch your neck while showing it

29. Ubu

    Shoulder

    Usage

    For shoulder pain, or to point out where you want a massage

30. Aka

    Hand

    Usage

    Igbo "aka" covers both hand and arm — show which part on your own body

31. Mkpịsị aka

    Finger

    Usage

    For pointing at an injured finger. Literally "stick of the hand"

32. Afọ

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    The key word for stomach trouble — it is also inside "ọgwụ afọ" (stomach medicine)

33. Ikpere

    Knee

    Usage

    For a painful or injured knee

34. Ụkwụ

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Covers both leg and foot. Note the dotted ụ — "ukwu" without dots is a different word

35. Akpụkpọ ahụ

    Skin

    Usage

    For showing a rash, an insect bite, or sunburn to a pharmacist

36. Ahụ

    Body

    Usage

    The base word for how your body feels — it forms compounds such as "ahụ ọkụ" (fever)

37. Ọkpụkpụ

    Bone

    Usage

    Show it with the painful spot when you suspect a fracture

38. Ụlọ ọbịbịa

    Hotel

    Usage

    Works as a taxi destination. Literally "house for guests"

39. Ọdụ ụgbọ elu

    Airport

    Usage

    A taxi destination. Literally "station of the sky vehicle"

40. Ụlọ ahịa ọgwụ

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    For finding somewhere to buy medicine. Literally "medicine shop"

41. Ụgbọala mgbanyụ ọkụ

    Fire engine

    Usage

    To ask for a fire engine. Literally "fire-extinguishing vehicle"

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