Weather & Climate

1. Ọ na-ekpo ọkụ taa, ọ dị etu ahụ?

   O na-ekpo oku taa, o di etu ahu?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Classic Igbo weather conversation opener in southeastern Nigeria

   Grammar Note

   "Ọ na-ekpo ọkụ" = "it is hot". The closing "ọ dị etu ahụ?" is a tag question meaning "isn't it so?", inviting agreement.

2. Ọ dị ka mmiri ozuzo ga-ada

   O di ka mmiri ozuzo ga-ada

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain seems likely

   Grammar Note

   "Mmiri ozuzo" = "mmiri" (water) + "ozuzo" (rain) — compound meaning "rain water"

3. Ikuku ọjọọ na-abịa

   Ikuku ojoo na-abia

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning when a storm is approaching

   Grammar Note

   "Ikuku ọjọọ" = "ikuku" (wind) + "ọjọọ" (bad) — "bad wind" = storm

4. Oyi na-adị ụtọ taa, ọ dị etu ahụ?

   Oyi na-adi uto taa, o di etu ahu?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cool days

   Grammar Note

   "Oyi" = coolness/cold (also used for cold drinks); "ụtọ" = pleasant/sweet. Together: "the coolness is pleasant".

5. Biko, gwa m ihe e kwuru maka ihu igwe

   Biko, gwa m ihe e kwuru maka ihu igwe

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Biko" means "please" in Igbo — an important politeness word

6. Ọ dị mkpa ka m were sunscreen?

   O di mkpa ka m were sunscreen?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong sun

   Grammar Note

   Igbo uses the English loanword "sunscreen" directly in this context

7. Ọ dị mkpa ka m were umbrella?

   O di mkpa ka m were umbrella?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to carry an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Umbrella" is an English loanword (as "sunscreen" is in the previous card). "Ọ dị mkpa ka m were ...?" = "is it necessary for me to take ...?"

8. Oge ọkọchị na-amalite mgbe?

   Oge okochi na-amalite mgbe?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about the dry season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Mgbe" is the Igbo question word for "when"

9. Oge ozuzo na-amalite mgbe?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about the rainy season when planning travel

   Grammar Note

   "Oge ozuzo" = "oge" (time/season) + "ozuzo" (rain) — "time of rain" = rainy season

10. Anyanwụ na-egbu taa

    Anyanwu na-egbu taa

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the strong sunlight

    Grammar Note

    "Anyanwụ" is Igbo for "sun". "Na-egbu" (is killing/beating) is a vivid metaphor for scorching sun

11. Mmiri ozuzo

    Rain

    Usage

    In the rainy season (roughly April to October) roads flood — useful when rearranging plans

12. Ikuku

    Wind

    Usage

    For talking about wind — the same word can also mean the air itself

13. Anyanwụ

    Sun / sunshine

    Usage

    For talking about strong sunshine — the words for east and west both contain it

14. Igwe ojii

    Cloudy sky

    Usage

    Literally "black sky" — used as the sign that rain is coming

15. Ugụrụ

    Harmattan (dry dusty season)

    Usage

    Roughly December to February, when dry Saharan dust settles in — hard on throat and skin, and a common cause of flight delays

Browse all TravelPhrases languages