Learn Igbo Language — Free Lessons
Complete Igbo lessons covering greetings, numbers, grammar, proverbs, culture and WAEC preparation. Structured learning for Nigerian students and the diaspora.
Igbo Greetings & Basic Phrases
Greetings in Igbo culture go far beyond a simple hello. They reflect respect, the time of day, your relationship with the person, and even their status in the community. In Igbo, the word "nno" (welcome) is one of the most important words — Igbo people are famous for their warm hospitality (ọbịbịa). Never enter an Igbo home or gathering without being greeted properly.
In traditional Igbo communities, you never greet an elder without first kneeling or bowing slightly. Shaking hands with an elder while your other hand rests on your forearm shows respect. The Igbo greeting culture also involves asking after family members — "kedu ndi ulo gi?" (how is your household?) is not idle chatter but genuine community care.
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ụtụtụ ọma | oo-too-too-oh-mah | Good morning | Said from sunrise until about midday. |
| Ehihie ọma | eh-hee-hee-oh-mah | Good afternoon | From midday until evening. |
| Anyasị ọma | an-yah-see-oh-mah | Good evening | After sunset. |
| Nnọọ | nnoh-oh | Welcome | One of the most important words in Igbo. Said to any visitor. |
| Kedu? | keh-doo | How are you? | Short and common greeting. |
| Kedu kwanu? | keh-doo-kwah-noo | How are you all? | Plural form — greeting a group. |
| A dị mma | ah-dee-mmah | I am fine / I am well | Standard response to Kedu. |
| Kedu aha gị? | keh-doo-ah-hah-gee | What is your name? | Polite way to ask someone's name. |
| Aha m bụ… | ah-hah-m-boo | My name is… | Introducing yourself. |
| Daalu | dah-ah-loo | Thank you | Informal thank you. |
| Daalu nke ọma | dah-ah-loo-n-keh-oh-mah | Thank you very much | More emphatic thanks. |
| Biko | bee-koh | Please | Used before a request. |
| Ndo | n-doh | Sorry / I'm sorry | Said to someone who is hurt or in difficulty. |
| Ọ dị mma | oh-dee-mmah | It is fine / No problem | Reassurance or acknowledgement. |
| Ka ọ dị | kah-oh-dee | Goodbye (said by the one staying) | The one remaining says this. |
| Ka chi fo | kah-chee-foh | Goodbye (said by the one leaving) | Lit: "May the morning come." |
| Ọ dịrị gị mma | oh-dee-ree-gee-mmah | How are things with you? | More formal enquiry about wellbeing. |
| Kedu ndi ulo gi? | keh-doo-n-dee-oo-loh-gee | How is your household? | Asking after the family — very important culturally. |
🧠 Quick Practice — Igbo Greetings
Igbo Numbers 1–100
Igbo uses a base-10 counting system, making numbers more straightforward than Yoruba's base-20 system. Numbers are built by combining root words: "iri" (10), "narị" (100), "puku" (1,000). Compound numbers follow a logical pattern of addition and multiplication that learners pick up quickly.
Four (anọ) is sometimes considered an unlucky number in Igbo culture, while seven (asaa) and eight (asato) are often associated with completeness and prosperity. Numbers appear frequently in Igbo ceremonies — counting kola nuts (oji), cowries, and people at gatherings follows specific cultural protocols.
| Number | Igbo | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otu | oh-too | |
| 2 | Abụọ | ah-boo-oh | |
| 3 | Atọ | ah-toh | |
| 4 | Anọ | ah-noh | Sometimes considered unlucky |
| 5 | Ise | ee-seh | |
| 6 | Isii | ee-see | |
| 7 | Asaa | ah-sah | Lucky / complete number |
| 8 | Asato | ah-sah-toh | |
| 9 | Itoolu | ee-toh-loo | |
| 10 | Iri | ee-ree | The key base for Igbo counting |
| 11 | Iri na otu | ee-ree-nah-oh-too | 10 + 1 |
| 12 | Iri na abụọ | ee-ree-nah-ah-boo-oh | 10 + 2 |
| 20 | Iri abụọ | ee-ree-ah-boo-oh | 2 × 10 |
| 30 | Iri atọ | ee-ree-ah-toh | 3 × 10 |
| 40 | Iri anọ | ee-ree-ah-noh | 4 × 10 |
| 50 | Iri ise | ee-ree-ee-seh | 5 × 10 |
| 60 | Iri isii | ee-ree-ee-see | 6 × 10 |
| 70 | Iri asaa | ee-ree-ah-sah | 7 × 10 |
| 80 | Iri asato | ee-ree-ah-sah-toh | 8 × 10 |
| 90 | Iri itoolu | ee-ree-ee-toh-loo | 9 × 10 |
| 100 | Otu narị | oh-too-nah-ree | |
| 1,000 | Otu puku | oh-too-poo-koo |
Igbo Family & Relationships
The Igbo family structure (ezinụlọ) is patrilineal — meaning family lineage passes through the father's side. However, the mother's family (umunne) remains extremely important throughout a person's life. The extended family (umunna — patrilineal kindred) functions almost as a government, mediating disputes, pooling resources and maintaining social order.
In Igbo culture, the first son (ọkpara) holds a special position — he inherits the father's obi (personal house and compound). The position of the mother (nne) is held in the highest regard: "Onye wetara oji wetara ndụ" — one who brings kola nut brings life — and traditionally the mother's brother (nna ochie mmadụ) is deeply honoured.
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nna | nnah | Father | |
| Nne | nneh | Mother | Also a term of respect for any older woman. |
| Nwa | n-wah | Child | General word for child. |
| Nwa nna (nwa okoobodo) | n-wah-nnah | Son | Son, lit. "father's child" |
| Nwa nne (nwa inyom) | n-wah-nneh | Daughter | |
| Nwanne nwoke | n-wah-nneh-n-woh-keh | Brother | Lit. "male sibling" |
| Nwanne nwanyi | n-wah-nneh-n-wah-yee | Sister | Lit. "female sibling" |
| Nna ochie | nnah-oh-chee | Grandfather | Lit. "old father" |
| Nne ochie | nneh-oh-chee | Grandmother | |
| Nna m ochie (nnanna) | nnah-nah | Grandfather (paternal) | |
| Nne m ochie (nnenyi) | nneh-nyee | Grandmother (paternal) | |
| Nna nna / Nna nne | Paternal / Maternal uncle | ||
| Di | dee | Husband | |
| Nwunye | n-woon-yeh | Wife | |
| Ezinụlọ | eh-zee-noo-loh | Family (nuclear) | |
| Umunna | oo-moo-nnah | Extended patrilineal family | The larger clan. |
| Ọkpara | oh-kpah-rah | First son / Heir | Holds special cultural position. |
Igbo Food, Market & Daily Life
Igbo cuisine is known for bold flavours, palm oil richness and a wide variety of soups served with starchy swallows. Markets (ahịa) are central to Igbo economic and social life — the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit is famous across Nigeria, and the market is where this spirit is most visible. Understanding food and market vocabulary is essential for navigating Igbo communities.
In Igbo culture, presenting kola nut (oji) to a guest is one of the most important rituals. Kola cannot be broken without a prayer (ọfọ) and blessing, and the eldest man present always breaks and shares it. Refusing kola nut is considered deeply disrespectful. The saying goes: "Onye wetara oji wetara ndụ" — he who brings kola nut brings life.
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nri | n-ree | Food | General word. |
| Mmiri | mm-ee-ree | Water | |
| Ji | jee | Yam | The "king of crops" in Igbo culture. Subject of the New Yam Festival (Iri ji). |
| Ede | eh-deh | Cocoyam | |
| Osikapa | oh-see-kah-pah | Rice | |
| Akpu | ah-kpoo | Fufu (from cassava) | Fermented cassava swallow — sour and elastic. Very popular. |
| Ịgba ji (ji mmiri ọcha) | Pounded yam | Smoother than fufu, not fermented. | |
| Ofe onugbu | oh-feh-oh-noo-gboo | Bitter leaf soup | Rich, dark soup — a classic Igbo dish. |
| Ofe egusi | oh-feh-eh-goo-see | Egusi (melon seed) soup | Thick, protein-rich soup. |
| Ofe nsala | oh-feh-n-sah-lah | White soup (Ofe nsala) | Light, fragrant soup without palm oil — made with catfish and uziza leaves. |
| Mmanu ọjị | mm-ah-noo-oh-jee | Palm oil | Central ingredient in Igbo cooking. |
| Ose oji | oh-seh-oh-jee | Ugba / Ukpaka | Oil bean seed — fermented condiment unique to Igbo cuisine. |
| Azụ | ah-zoo | Fish | |
| Anụ | ah-noo | Meat / Animal | |
| Ahịa | ah-hee-ah | Market | |
| Ole ego ya? | oh-leh-eh-goh-yah | How much does it cost? | Essential market phrase. |
| Belata ya biko | beh-lah-tah-yah-bee-koh | Reduce the price please | Bargaining phrase. |
| Ọ dị ọnụ ọhụrụ | oh-dee-oh-noo-oh-hoo-roo | It is too expensive | |
| Agụụ na-ata m | ah-goo-nah-ah-tah-m | I am hungry | |
| Ọ dị ụtọ | oh-dee-oo-toh | It is delicious |
Igbo Grammar Fundamentals
Igbo is a Subject-Verb-Object language like English, but with important differences: Igbo is tonal (two main tones — high and low), has no gendered pronouns (one word for he/she/it), and uses a rich system of prefixes and suffixes to modify verbs and nouns. The Igbo verbal system is particularly expressive.
Standard Igbo (Igbo izugbe) was developed from a blend of dialects to create a unified written form. However, there are significant dialect differences between Owerri Igbo, Onitsha Igbo, Nnewi Igbo, and others. The standard form is used in WAEC exams and official contexts, while dialects are spoken at home and in communities.
| Topic | Rule | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic sentence | S + V + O | Emeka richara ọcha | Emeka swept clean |
| Negation | Add "ọ bụghị" or "-ghị" suffix to verb | Emeka richaghi ọcha | Emeka did not sweep |
| Questions | Rise in tone OR use question words | Emeka richara ọcha? | Did Emeka sweep? |
| Pronouns | M/Mu (I), Gị (you), Ya (he/she/it), Anyị (we), Unu (y'all), Ha (they) | M hụrụ ya n'anya | I love him/her |
| High tone (unmarked) | Normal speaking pitch | nke (thing), ọma (good) | Most words are mid/high |
| Low tone (grave accent) | Voice drops | àlà (land/earth), ènwe (monkey) | Mark important in meaning |
| Present continuous | Verb + na- prefix or context | O na-eri nri | He/she is eating food |
| Past tense | -rị or -ra suffix on verb | O eriri nri | He/she ate food |
| Future tense | ga + verb | O ga-eri nri | He/she will eat food |
| Possession | Noun + possessor | ụlọ Emeka | Emeka's house |
| Adjectives | After noun | nwata ọma | good child |
| No grammatical gender | Ya = he/she/it | Ya bịara | He/she/it came |
| Verb extensions | -rị (completive), -ta (reversive), -cha (completive) | O richara ọcha | He finished sweeping completely |
Igbo Proverbs & Their Meanings
Chinua Achebe, Nigeria's greatest novelist, famously wove Igbo proverbs throughout "Things Fall Apart" to demonstrate that Igbo culture had a deep philosophical tradition long before colonialism. Proverbs (ilu) in Igbo are called "the palm oil with which words are eaten" — meaning they make conversation richer and more meaningful. WAEC Igbo exams test proverb knowledge extensively.
"Ọrịa bụ ihe na-eme ka mmadụ mata uru di ndụ" — illness is what makes a person appreciate the value of life. Igbo proverbs are typically short, rhythmic and carry layers of meaning that unfold with reflection. They are used in formal settings, dispute resolution and daily conversation alike.
| Igbo Proverb | Literal Translation | Real Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Onye wetara oji wetara ndụ | He who brought kola nut brought life | The giver of good things brings blessing to all. |
| Egbe bere, ugo bere, nke si ibe ya ebela, nku kwaa ya | Let the kite perch, let the eagle perch, whichever denies the other, let its wing break | Live and let live — everyone deserves their space. |
| Onye nwere mmadụ adịghị ata ojị n'isi obi | One who has people does not eat kola nut alone at the head of the compound | Prosperity is meaningless without community. |
| Ihe onye ji acha ọcha bụ ihe o ji eme ihe ọcha | What a person uses to be clean is what makes them do clean things | Your tools, upbringing and environment shape your character. |
| Ọ bụghị onye isi ukwu na-ama eze | It is not the one with big feet who becomes king | Status comes from wisdom and character, not physical appearance. |
| Nwa aghụghọ gbara ọsọ, ọ zọ n'ukwu eze | A clever child who ran fell at the king's feet | Even the cleverest person will eventually face consequences. |
| Onye ahụ ihe ya, ọ pụtara n'ụzọ | One who sees what is theirs comes out to the road | Those who recognise their own will find their path. |
| Mmiri ọjị adighi agu mmiri ofe | Palm wine does not satisfy like soup's broth | Each thing has its own unique value and cannot replace another. |
| Ka mmadụ dị ndụ, ka o na-eme ihe | As long as a person is alive, they continue to do things | While there is life, there is hope and possibility. |
| Otu onye adịghị zu ọjà | One person does not make a market | Community and cooperation are necessary for anything to flourish. |
Igbo for WAEC — Exam Preparation
WAEC Igbo is examined across three papers: Listening comprehension (aural), written papers (oral expression, composition, comprehension and grammar) and literature in Igbo. Students in southeastern Nigeria are required to take Igbo. The exam rewards students who know proverbs, grammar rules, and can write correctly in Standard Igbo.
WAEC Igbo examiners consistently award high marks to students who use Igbo proverbs (ilu) correctly in compositions, and who demonstrate knowledge of Igbo cultural practices (omenala). Simply knowing vocabulary is not enough — the examiners want to see cultural fluency.
| WAEC Area | What is Tested | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (Aural) | Hear recorded Igbo speech and answer questions. | Listen to Igbo radio and news. AIT, NTA and Channels have Igbo broadcasts. |
| Composition (Ede) | Write in Igbo — narrative, descriptive, argumentative or letter. | Use proverbs. Open with: "Dị ka Igbo kwuo, …" (As the Igbo say, …). |
| Comprehension | Read Igbo passage, answer in Igbo. | Always answer in full Igbo sentences. Never mix English. |
| Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ) | Parts of speech, sentence structure, tones. | Learn: Aha (noun), Ngwa aha (pronoun), Ngwa ọrụ (verb), Nkọwa aha (adjective). |
| Proverbs (Ilu) | Explain the meaning of given Igbo proverbs. | Memorise at least 15-20 classic ilu with full explanations. |
| Letter writing | Formal or informal letter in Igbo. | Know the format: ebe ezitere (from address), ụbọchị (date), nha aha (salutation). |
| Literature | Prescribed Igbo texts. | Read the set books. Know themes, characters, and key passages. |
| Common errors | Missing tone marks, wrong verb forms. | Always mark tones correctly. "ọ" ≠ "o". "ị" ≠ "i". These are different letters in Igbo! |
| Cultural knowledge | Igbo customs, festivals, institutions. | Know: Iri ji (New Yam), Ọfọ (sacred staff), Obi (compound), Eze (king), Ozo title. |