Numbers

1. Otu

   OH-too

   One

   Usage

   The number one. Igbo numerals are primarily decimal (base-10)

   Grammar Note

   "Otu" means "one" and also "same/together" (e.g., otu oge = same time). Igbo numerals rely on tones for distinguishing meaning.

2. Abụọ

   ah-BOO-oh

   Two

   Usage

   The number two

   Grammar Note

   "Abụọ" means "two." Combined with the copula "bụ": "ọ bụ abụọ" = "it is two." A standard way to state numbers in Igbo.

3. Atọ

   ah-TOH

   Three

   Usage

   The number three

   Grammar Note

   Igbo basic numerals: 1=otu, 2=abụọ, 3=atọ, 4=anọ, 5=ise, 6=isii, 7=asaa, 8=asatọ, 9=itoolu, 10=iri. Tones are essential.

4. Anọ

   ah-NOH

   Four

   Usage

   The number four

   Grammar Note

   "Anọ" (four) should not be confused with "ọ nọ" (he/she is there). Tone differences are critical for distinguishing these forms.

5. Ise

   ee-SEH

   Five

   Usage

   The number five

   Grammar Note

   "Ise" (five) resembles "isii" (six) but has different tones. Both 5 and 6 start with "is-" across dialects, making tones crucial for distinction.

6. Isii

   ee-SEE-ee

   Six

   Usage

   The number six

   Grammar Note

   Igbo numerals have dialectal variants. E.g., in Onitsha dialect "isii" may become "isi." Igbo standardization was advanced in the 20th century.

7. Asaa

   ah-SAH-ah

   Seven

   Usage

   The number seven

   Grammar Note

   "Asaa" (seven) and "asatọ" (eight) share the "asa-" prefix. Igbo numerals show partial morphological patterning.

8. Iri

   EE-ree

   Ten

   Usage

   The number ten. "Iri" is the decimal base of the Igbo numeral system

   Grammar Note

   "Iri" is the base "ten." 20=iri abụọ (10×2), 30=iri atọ (10×3). Addition: "iri na otu" (10+1) = 11. Both multiplication and addition are used.

9. Iri abụọ

   EE-ree ah-BOO-oh

   Twenty

   Usage

   The number twenty. "Iri abụọ" uses multiplicative structure: "ten × two"

   Grammar Note

   Igbo numerals use multiplication (iri atọ=30) and addition (iri na otu=11) in a regular system. Unlike Yoruba, Igbo does not use subtraction in numeral formation.

10. Otu narị

    OH-too NAH-ree

    One hundred

    Usage

    The number one hundred. "Narị" is the word for the unit "hundred"

    Grammar Note

    "Narị" is the word for "hundred." The system: otu narị (100), narị abụọ (200), narị atọ (300). For 1000, "puku" (English loanword) is commonly used.

11. Adị m afọ iri abụọ na asaa

    ah-DEE m AH-foh EE-ree ah-BOO-oh nah ah-SAH-ah

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    Giving your age — the answer to "Afọ ole ka ị dị?" ("How old are you?")

    Grammar Note

    Age uses the verb "dị" ("to be") followed by "afọ" plus a numeral; the answer simply swaps "ị" (you) in "Afọ ole ka ị dị?" for "m" (I). Twenty is "iri abụọ" (two tens) and the unit is joined with "na".

12. N'afọ a, m ga-adị afọ iri abụọ na asatọ

    n-AH-foh ah, m gah-ah-DEE AH-foh EE-ree ah-BOO-oh nah ah-SAH-toh

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Saying the age you will reach this year; "afọ a" means "this year"

    Grammar Note

    The future is marked by "ga-" before the verb, as in "Echi m ga-aga ụlọ nsọ" ("Tomorrow I will go to the shrine"). The proximal demonstrative "a" follows the noun, and the preposition "na" contracts to "n'" before a vowel.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages