Vehicles

1. Ụgbọ ala

   Car

   Usage

   Literally "land vehicle"; Nigeria drives on the right

   Grammar Note

   "Ụgbọ" (vehicle) takes a place word to specify the kind: "ala" (land), "mmiri" (water), "elu" (sky).

2. Okada

   Okada (motorcycle taxi)

   Usage

   The fastest way through traffic on short hops, but helmets are often missing and accidents are common; it is banned in parts of Lagos and other cities. Agree the fare before you get on

   Grammar Note

   Named after the 1980s airline Okada Air; Igbo speakers use the word as-is.

3. Keke napep

   Keke napep (tricycle taxi)

   Usage

   A covered three-wheeler, safer than an okada and the mainstay of town travel; often shortened to "keke". You can share it or take it alone (ask to "charter" it)

   Grammar Note

   Named after NAPEP, the poverty-eradication programme that first distributed them.

4. Danfo

   Danfo (minibus)

   Usage

   Lagos's yellow minibuses, with a conductor shouting the destination. The word is Yoruba in origin but understood nationwide; in Igboland the same vans are usually just called "bọs"

5. Bọs

   Bus

   Usage

   Intercity coaches are usually named by operator — Peace Mass Transit, God is Good and so on. The depot is "ọdụ ụgbọ"

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "bus"; the "ọ" carries a dot.

6. Ụgbọ ibu

   Truck / lorry

   Usage

   Literally "load vehicle"; the highways carry heavy truck traffic on rough surfaces, so take care overtaking

7. Anyịnya igwe

   Bicycle

   Usage

   Literally "iron horse"; still used for getting around in villages

   Grammar Note

   "Anyịnya" (horse) plus "igwe" (iron); the same "igwe" appears in "ụgbọ igwe", used loosely for motor vehicles.

8. Ụgbọ elu

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   Literally "sky vehicle"; an airport is "ọdụ ụgbọ elu". Igboland's main airports are Enugu, Asaba and Owerri

9. Ụgbọ mmiri

   Boat / ship

   Usage

   Literally "water vehicle"; the ferries on the Niger and its tributaries

10. Ụgbọ ala ndị uwe ojii

    Police car

    Usage

    For reporting a theft or accident; checkpoints are frequent on the highways, so keep your documents handy

    Grammar Note

    "Ụgbọ ala" (car) plus "ndị uwe ojii" (the people in black uniforms — the police).

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