Since Igbo is a tonal language, it is vital that you learn about the different tones so that you are pronouncing and writing the words you mean to communicate and understanding what you hear and read correctly. This is especially important for words that are spelled the same way (called homographs in English). Words in Igbo can have the same exact spelling, but are pronounced differently due to tone (called heteronyms in English). Tonal marks are sometimes placed on top of vowels show whether they are pronounced with a high tone, low tone, or middle tone.

Ụdaelu refers to vowels pronounced with a high pitched tone and it is usually marked with an acute accent slanting up from left to right ( ´ ).  

Ụdaala refers to vowels pronounced with a low pitched tone and it is usually marked with a grave accent slanting down from left to right ( ` ).

Ụdansuda refers to vowels pronounced with a mid pitched tone and it is usually marked with a horizontal diacritical mark called macron/macra (–). The general rule (is that mid tone vowels must come after a high tone vowel. So mid-tone vowels are found in words with more than one syllable.

Note: I have seen mid-tones come after other mid-tone vowels too.

Let’s use the word “akwa” as an example of a word that can have many different meanings depending on the tone.

àkwà  – “bed” [low tone – low tone]

ákwà – “cloth” [high tone – low tone]

ákwá – “cry” [high tone – high tone]

àkwá – “egg” [low tone – high tone]

Also, sometimes the letters “m” and “n” can be treated as vowels in Igbo. This means that you can pronounce m or n with high or low tones. Consonant clusters do not exist in Igbo language (meaning that two consonants cannot follow each other). So if you see an “m” or “n” in front of another consonant, treat it like a pseudo vowel and give it a tone.

Examples:

ńnà – father   [high tone – low tone]

ńné – mother  [high tone – high tone]

ḿmā – good  [high tone – mid tone ]

ḿmà – knife [high  tone – low tone]

Note: Do not treat “n” as a vowel when it is actually another letter such as ny, nw, or ñ.

Also, digraphs like Ch, Gh, Gb, Kp, Kw, and Sh do not count as double consonants. 

Here is the list of Igbo vowels (both without dots and dots below) and their tonal accent marks for you to use in both uppercase and lowercase:

Á á     À à     Ā ā

É é    È è      Ē ē

Í í       Ì ì       Ī ī

Ị́ ị́        Ị̀ ị̀

Ó ó     Ò ò     Ō ō

Ọ́ ọ́     Ọ̀ ọ̀

Ú ú    Ù ù     Ū ū

Ụ́ ụ́    Ụ̀ ụ̀

Ḿḿ  M̀ m̀

Ń ń    Ǹǹ

There are over 20 dialects spoken in Igbo land. As a result, there are various ways to spell and pronounce the same word in the different dialects. In addition, there are even different grammar rules and letters in the Igbo dialects. Some Igbo dialects include Owerri, Umuahia, Onitsha (pronounced “Onicha”), Ngwa, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.

You don’t have to learn all of the Igbo dialects if you don’t want to. I recommend at least trying to become fluent in Central Igbo and learning the dialect in your village. The standard Igbo dialect, which is sometimes called central Igbo, is also referred to as Izugbe. Many people in Igbo land are familiar with standard Igbo despite the Igbo dialect that is spoken in their village. 

A lot of standard Igbo is formed from the Owerri and Umuahia dialects. Some also consider the Onitsha dialect to be similar to the Anambra dialect.

Either way, you should just keep in mind that you will come across different dialects as you interact with Igbo people!

I am going to try to focus on central Igbo for this site, but I may use other dialects from time to time. I will try to label them when I can.

Some examples of differences in Igbo Dialects showing letter swapping:

 ịbụ (to be)

 ịwụ (to be)

ezi na ụlọ (family) – Central Igbo

ezi na ụnọ (family) – Anambra Igbo

Ha (they / their / them ) – Central Igbo

Fa (they / their / them ) – Anambra Igbo

ihe (thing) –  Central Igbo

ife  (thing) – Anambra Igbo

Animal (Anụmanụ)

Study these animal vocabulary words in Igbo

antelope – mgbada

bat – ụsụ

bird – nnụnụ

cat – nwamba 

chicken –ọkụkọ

cow/cattle – ehi/efi

crab – nshikọ

dog – nkịta

donkey/mule – ịnyịnya ibu

duck – ọbọgwụ

eagle – ugo

elephant – enyi

fish – azụ

frog – awọ

goat – ewu

goose – ọkwa

horse – ịnyịnya

lamb – nwa atụrụ

leopard – agụ

lion – ọdụm

lizard – ngwere

monkey – enwe

mouse/rat – oke

owl – ikwikwii

pig – ezi

pigeon – ndụlị

pony – nwa ịnyịnya

rabbit – oke ụlọ

rooster –oke ọkụkọ

sheep – atụrụ

scorpion – akpị

snail – eju

snake – agwọ

sparrow – nza

squirrel – ọsa

tiger – agụ

tortoise – mbe

turkey – torotoro

wall gecko – nche ụlọ

vulture – udele

zoo – ụlọ anụmanụ

Insects (ahụhụ)

ant – ahụhụ

bee – añụ

beetle – ebe

butterfly – ụbụba

caterpillar – eruru

cockroach –ụchịcha

fly – ijiji

mosquito – anwụnta

spider – ududo

termite – akịka

tick –igwu

wasp – anwụ

worm –okpo

Review these vocabulary words to go over words describing the body, clothes, fashion, and other wearable items in Igbo.

Body | Clothes | Fashion

Body – ahụ

Human body – ahụ mmadụ

Ankle – mgbaji ụkwụ

Arm – ala aka

Back – azụ

Belly button – otuwe

Bone – ọkpụkụ

Breast – ara

Butt – ike/otele

Cheek – nti

Chest – obi

Chin – agba

Ear – ntị

Elbow – apa aka

Eye – anya

Eyebrow – ikuanya

Face – ihu

Finger – mkpisi aka

Foot – ike ụkwụ

Forhead – egedege ihu

Hand – aka

Hair – abuba/ntutu isi

Head – isi

Heart – obi

Jaw – agba

Knee – ikpere

Mouth – ọnụ

Leg – ụkwụ

Lip – egbugbere ọnụ

Neck – onu/olu

Nose – imi

Shoulder – ndabi olu / ubu

Stomach – afọ

Teeth/tooth – eze

Thigh – mpata ụkwụ

Throat – olu

Thumb – mkpabi aka

Toe – mkpisi ụkwụ

Tongue – ire

Waist– ukwu

Wrist – mgbaji aka

Clothes (uweyi)

cloth – akwa
dress – uweyi
jacket – uweyi oyi
jeans – uweyi ụkwụ
pants – uweyi ụkwụ
shirt – uweyi ahụ
shoes –  akpụkpụụkwụ

socks – uweyi ụkwụ
sweater – uweyi ichu oyi

Fashion

bag – akpa

Bracelet – mgba aka

Earring – ọla ntị

Eye glasses – igagbe anya

gloves – uweyi aka

hat- okpu

headtie – ịchafụ isi

Jewelry – ọla

Necklace – ihe onu

ring – ọla aka

scarf – ịchafụ

tie – eriri olu

watch – elekere aka

Review this page to learn Igbo vocabulary words that describe your family members such as your siblings and parents, friends, people you may work or go to school with, and other people in your every day life.

Family | Friends | Other People

Family (ezinaụlọ / ndị be)

parents – nne na nna

mother – nne

father – nna

Buy a “Nne Oma” tee for that special mommy in your life!

grandfather – Father’s side: nna nna / nna ochie (nna); Mother’s side: nna nne / nna ochie (nne)

grandmother – Father’s side: nne nna / nne ochie (nna); Mother’s side: nne nne / nne ochie (nne)

grandchild – nwa nwa

grandkids/grandchildren – ụmụ ụmụ

sibling – nwanne

brother – nwanne nwoke

sister – nwanne nwanyị

younger brother – nwanne nwoke nta

younger sister – nwanne nwanyị nta

husband – di

wife – nwunye

in-law – ọgọ

mother in law – nne di / nne nwunye

father in law – nna di / nna nwunye

The perfect tee for your loving husband!

daughter – nwa nwanyị (Some people use 2 a’s in nwaanyị)

son – nwa nwoke

1st daughter – ada / ada nwanyị

1st son – ọkpara / di ọkpara

child – nwata

baby – nwa

children – ụmụ / ụmụaka / ụmụntakịrị

twins – ụmụ ejima (Some people just say ejima)

I made this tee for all my fellow Umu Ada Nwaanyi!

aunt – dada / nwanne nna / nwanne nne

uncle – dede / de / nwanne nna / nwanne nne

cousin – nwa nwanne nwoke (male) / nwa nwanne nwanyị (female)

cousins – ibenna (paternal) / ibenne (maternal)

niece – nwa nwanyị nwanne nwoke (brother’s daughter) / nwa nwanyị nwanne nwanyị (sister’s daughter)

nephew – nwa nwoke nwanne nwoke (brother’s son) / nwa nwoke nwanne nwanyị (sister’s son)

relatives (mother’s side) – ụmụnne (Some also say this is another word for siblings).

relatives (father’s side) – ụmụnna

close relatives – nwanna

Friends (ndị enyi / ndị ọyị )

friend – enyi / ọyị

boyfriend or male friend – enyi nwoke / ọyị nwoke

girlfriend or female friend -enyi nwanyị / ọyị nwanyị

People (ndị / ndị mmadụ)

humans/ human beings – ndị mmadụ

person – mmadụ / onye

adults – ndị okenye

Igbo people – Ndị Igbo

Africans – Ndị Afrika

Americans – Ndị Emerika

Black person – onye ojii

Black people – Ndị ojii

light skinned person – onye ocha

white person – onye ocha

White people – Ndị ọcha

man – nwoke

woman – nwanyị  (Again, some people spell it as nwaanyị)

older man (to be respectful) – dede

older woman (to be respectful) – dada

distinguished elders – Ndị ichie

Mrs. – Lọlọ

Mr./mister – Mazi

girl – nwa nwanyị / nwata nwanyị

young lady –  agbọghọ

boy – nwa nwoke / nwata nwoke

young man –  okorọbia

boss – onye isi

colleagues/coworkers/workers – ndị ọrụ

teacher – onye nkụzị

student – nwa akwụkwọ / nwata akwụkwọ

Learn how to say various food related words in Igbo.

Food  – nri

Fruit – mkpụrụ osisi

apple – ụdara bekee

banana – unere

coconut – akị bekee / akị oyibo

lemon – oroma ilu

mango – mangọrọ / ujiri

melon – egusi

orange – oroma

pear – ube ọcha

plantain – ogede

Vegetable  – akwụkwọ nri

corn / maize – ọka

okra – ọkwụrụ

pepper – ose

pumpkin – anyụ / ụgbọgịrị

salad – akwụkwọ nri ndụ

potato – nduku

soup – ofe

tomato – tamato

yam  – ji

Dairy  –

butter – nri abụba

ice cream – udeoyi

milk – mmiri ara ehi (cow’s milk) / mmiri ara

Grains/Nuts/Beans  –

cassava  – akpụ

beans – agwa

bread  – achịcha

rice  – osikapa

kola nut – ọjị

peanut/ground nut – ahụekere

sandwich  – nri achịcha / achịcha awai

Meat (anụ) /Seafood  –

beef – anụ ehi

chicken – anụ ọkụkọ

egg – akwa

fish – azụ

goat meat – anụ ewu

lamb – anụ atụrụ

pork – anụ ezi

shrimp – ịsha

turkey – anụ torotoro

Seasoning/Other –

honey – mmanụ añụ

oil – mmanụ

onion -yabasị

pepper – ose

salt – nnu

sugar – ọtọ bịrị bịrị / ihe bịrị bịrị / nnu bekee

Drink (noun) – mmanya / ihe ọñụñụ

water – mmiri

ice – ihe oyi

milk – mmiri ara ehi (cow’s milk) / mmiri ara

wine– mmanya oku

palm wine – nkwu

Meals / feast – erimeri

breakfast – nri ụtụtụ

lunch – nri ehihie

dinner – nri abalị

Utensils

fork– ngaji eze / ndụdụ

spoon– ngaji

knife – mma

cup – iko

plate – efere

bowl – ọkụ

table– ndokwasa

pot– ite

glass/bottle – karama

Dining

to drink– ịñụ

to eat– iri nri

to cook– isi nri

kitchen– usekwu

dining room – ụlọ erimeri

restaurant– ụlọ nri

Learn about the various words related to greetings and manners in Igbo. Many do not agree with the definition of these words. Please verify with someone in your community how to use these words in your dialect.

Hello – Ndewo  (Note: Some don’t agree with the direct translation of ndewo as “hello”. They believe it doesn’t have a direct translation in English.)

Welcome – Nnọọ

How are you? – Kedu? / Kedu ka ị melu? / Kedu ka ị mere?  (Note: Some argue about the meaning of kedu by itself and its various uses with other words. Some also spell it kedụ.)

I am fine. – Adị m mma.

It is fine./He is fine./ She is fine. – Ọ dị mma.

I am not fine. – A dịghị m mma.

Please – biko

Wait – chere

Excuse me – cheretu (Note: Some do not agree that there is a direct translation of this word from English.)

Thank you – Daalụ / Imeela  (Note: Many argue about the correct word of thank you in Igbo.)

Sorry – Ndo

Yes – Ee / Eh / Oo / Ise  (Note: Some argue that there are many ways to say yes in Igbo such as some of the ones listed. It depends on the situation. You might the vary the tone and words you use to say yes in Igbo.)

No – Mba

Good morning – ị bọọla chi / ị saa la chi/ I tetala? / Ụtụtụ ọma (Note:

The translation of this to English means something like – Has the day started? Or have you woken up (I tetala)? Ụtụtụ ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good afternoon – Ehihie ọma

(Note: Ehihie ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good evening – Mgbede ọma

(Note: Mgbede ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good night – Ka chi fo (Note: The translation of this to English means something like – let the day break )

How to respnd to good night – Ka chi bọọ

Good bye – Ka ọmesịe / Ka emesia ( Note: The translation of this to English means something like – let it be until then.)

See you later – Ka ọ dị

Safe journey – Ije ọma

Review these vocabulary words to learn how to talk about health related and medical issues in Igbo language.

Healthy/health – ahụ ike

Professions / Health care professionals

Dentist – dibịa eze

Doctor – dibịa / dokịta (Note: Some argue about which word means doctor in Igbo.)

Nurse – onye uweyi ọcha

Buildings

hospital – ụlọ ọgwụ

clinic – ụlọ ọrịa

Tools

drug  – ọgwụ

medicine – ọgwụ

glasses – ugegbe anya

needle – ntụtụ

sleeping pills – ọgwụ ụra

Pains/aches

infection/disease -ọrịa

stomach ache – afọ ohihi

Diseases (ọrịa)

blindness – isi

cough –  ụkwara

fever/temperature – ahụ ọkụ

flu – ịba

heart attack – obi mgbafu

itch – ọkọ

sneezing – uzerē

Common Phrases

I’m sick. – Ahụ adịghị m.

I have a cold. – Oyi n’ama m.

Parts of the Body

heart – obi

stomach – afọ

teeth – eze

throat – akpịrị

house – ụlọ / ụnọ

bedroom – ime ụlọ

kitchen– usekwu

dining room – ụlọ erimeri

floor – ala ụlọ

door – ụzọ

laundry – ebe ana-asa akwa

window – mbo

bag – akpa

basket – nkata

bed – akwa

box – igbe

chair – oche

key – igodo

mat – ute

mirror – enyo

pillow – nhiweisi

refrigerator – igbeoyi

soap – ncha

table – ndokwasa

toilet  – mposi

Nature | Farm | Weather

Nature (odidi)

land – ala

earth  – ụwa

bush – ọhịa

forest – oke ọhịa

stick – osisi

tree – osisi

palm tree  – osisi nkwụ

plant – kuo

leaf – akwụkwọ ndụ

wood –  osisi

fire – ọkụ

hill – ugwu

mountain – ugwu ukwu

rock/stone – okwute

water – mmiri

river – osimiri

lake – ezu

Farm

farm – ugbo

farmer  – onye ugbo

garden – mbụbọ

seed  – mkpụrụ

soil – aja

agriculture – ihe gbasara iku ubi

barn – ọba

Weather

weather – ihuigwe

air – ikuku

cloud – urukpu

cold – oyi

hot – ọkụ

wind – ikuku

sky – elu igwe / enu igwe

rain – mmiriozuzo

sun – anwụ / anyanwụ (Note: Some argue about which word is correct.)

 sunny/dry season – okochi

rainy/wet season – udu mmịrị

winter (Harmattan winds) – uguru

moon – ọnwa

new moon – ọnwa ọhụrụ

full moon – ọnwa ukwu

star – kpakpando

Overall, there are two different counting systems in the Igbo language, a 20 based one (older version) and a 10 (decimal) based one (newer version). The lessons on this page mostly focus on the newer 10 based counting system, meaning the numbers are described based on the multiples of 10 instead of  multiples 20. However, I did give examples of how to say both 20 and 400 using both systems.

Numbers

Ordinal

Numbers – ọnụọgụgụ

count – gụọ

0 zero – ncha/ adịgị / okpokoro / efu (Note: Many disagree about the meaning of zero in Igbo.)

1  one – otu / ofu

2 two – abụọ

3 three – atọ

4 four – anọ

5 five – ise

6 six – isii /isi

7 seven – asaa / asa

8 eight – asatọ

9 nine – itoolu

10 ten – iri

11 eleven – iri na otu

12 twelve – iri na abụọ

13 thirteen – iri na atọ

14 fourteen – iri na anọ

15 fifteen – iri na ise

16 sixteen – iri na isii

17 seventeen – iri na asaa

18 eighteen – iri na asatọ

19 nineteen – iri na itoolu

20 twenty – iri abụọ (10 based) / ọgụ (20 based)

21 twenty one – iri abụọ na otu

22 twenty two – iri abụọ na abụọ

23 twenty three – iri abụọ na atọ

24 twenty four – iri abụọ na anọ

25 twenty five – iri abụọ na ise

26 twenty six – iri abụọ na isii

27 twenty seven – iri abụọ na asaa

28 twenty eight – iri abụọ na asatọ

29 twenty nine – iri abụọ na itoolu

30 thirty – iri atọ

35  thirty five – iri atọ na ise

40 forty – iri anọ

50 fifty – iri ise

60 sixty – iri isii

70 seventy – iri asaa

80 eighty – iri asatọ

90 ninety – iri itoolu

100 one hundred – otu nnarị / otu narị (Note: Many argue about whether 100 is spelled narị or nnarị.)

101 one hundred one – otu narị na otu

200 two hundred – narị abụọ

223 two hundred twenty three – narị abụọ na iri abụọ na atọ

300 three hundred – narị atọ

400 four hundred – narị anọ (10 based) / nnụ  (20 based)

500 five hundred – narị ise

600 six hundred – nari isii

700 seven hundred – narị  asaa

800 eight hundred –  narị asatọ

900 nine hundred – narị itoolu

1000 one thousand – otu puku

1001 one thousand one – otu puku na otu

2000 two thousand – puku abụọ

2017 two thousand seventeen – puku abụọ na iri na asaa

2018 two thousand eighteen – puku abụọ na iri na asato

3000 three thousand – puku atọ

3452 three thousand four hundred fifty two – puku atọ na narị anọ na iri ise na abụọ

10, 000 one ten thousand – puku iri

40, 000 forty thousand – puku iri anọ

100, 000 one hundred thousand – puku narị

1,000, 000 one million –  otu nde

1,000,000,000 one billion  – otu ijeri

Ordinal

1st first – nke mbụ

2nd second – nke abụọ

3rd third – nke atọ

4th fourth – nke anọ

5th fifth – nke ise

6th sixth – nke isii

7th seventh – nke asaa

8th eighth – nke asatọ

9th ninth – nke itoolu

10th tenth – nke iri

13th thirteenth – nke iri na atọ

30th thirtieth – nke iri atọ

300th three hundredth – nke nari atọ

3000th three thousandth – nke puku atọ

once – otu ugboro / otu mgbe (Note: Some argue about the meaning of once in Igbo.)

twice – ugboro abụọ

three times – ugboro atọ

Time – oge / elekere

clock – elekere

when – oge

What time is it?/What is the time? – Gịnị na-akụ?

It is 10 minutes past nine in the morning. / It is 9:10 AM. – O jirila nkeji iri gafee elekere itoolu nke ụtụtụ.

It is 12:30 PM/It is 12:30 in the afternoon. – Ọ kụọla elekere iri na abụọ na ọkara nke ehihie.

It is 6:50 PM/It is 10 minutes to 7 at night. – Ọ fọdụrụ nkeji iri na-aga elekere asa nke abalị.

early – ụzọ / oge

half  – ọkara

second –  akara nkeji / timkọm

minute –  nkeji

hour – elekere

day – ụbọchị

week – izuka

weekend – ngwụchaizuka

month – ọnwa

year – afọ

decade – afọ iri

next year – afọ n’abịa abịa

last year – afọ gara aga

this year – afọ a

yesterday – ụnyaahụ

today – taa

tomorrow – echi

now – ugbu a / kita

future – ọdịnihu

present – ubgu a

past – gara aga

sunrise – owuwa anyanwụ

morning – ụtụtụ

afternoon – ehihie

evening – mgbede

sunset – odida anyanwụ

night – abalị

midnight – ime abalị

last night – abalị gara aga

tonight – n’abalị taa

tomorrow morning – ụtụtụ echi

this morning – ụtụtụ a

yesterday morning – ụtụtụ ụnyaahụ

in the morning – na ụtụtụ

Date

Months (ọnwa)

January – Ọnwa Mbụ

February – Ọnwa Abụọ

March – Ọnwa Atọ

April – Ọnwa Anọ

May – Ọnwa Ise

June – Ọnwa Isii

July – Ọnwa Asaa

August – Ọnwa Asatọ

September – Ọnwa Itoolu

October – Ọnwa Iri

November – Ọnwa Iri na Otu

December – Ọnwa Iri na Abụọ

Days of the Week  (These are based on the English calendar and are using EngliIgbo words. The traditional Igbo calendar doesn’t use these days. See below for the Igbo Market Days.)

Sunday – Ụbọchị ụka

Monday – Mọnde

Tuesday – Tuzde

Wednesday – Wensde

Thursday  – Tosde

Friday – Fraide

Saturday – Satode

Market Days

1st market day – Eke

2nd market day – Orie

3rd market day – Afọ

4th market day – Nkwọ

Some say that there are 8 market days as follows:

(ukwu – “big”; nta – “small”)

Eke ukwu

Eke nta

Orie ukwu

Orie nta

Afọ ukwu

Afọ nta

Nkwọ ukwu

Nkwọ nta

• Review these vocabulary words to go over words describing words used for transportation and travel in Igbo.

  road – okporoụzọ / ụzọ

  Modes of Transportation

  airplane/plane – ụgbọ elu

  bike – igwe

  boat – ụgbọ mmiri

  bus – ụgbọ ala / ụgbọ ọha

   

  car – ụgbọ ala

  train – ụgbọ igwe / ụgbọ oloko

  truck – gwongworo

  van/truck – ụgbọ ibu

   

  Giving Directions

  Turn right. – Gaa n’aka nri. 

  Turn left. – Gaa n’aka ekpe.