1.The first letter of the Igbo alphabet (a b ch d)
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2. someone, something (pronoun) (harmonizes: alternative is e-)
Used as impersonal pronoun. Translated in English as passive voice.
Syntax: a [verb root][r][harmonizing vowel]
Examples
• a chiri ya ọchi (he was laughed at) (someone laughed at him)
• a kụrụ aka n'ụzọ (there is a knock on the door) (someone docked on the door)
• a jụrụ m ajụjụ (I was asked a question) (someone asked me a question)
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3. This (determiner, pronoun)
Examples
• akwụkwọ a (this book)
• onye nke a (this person)
• ihe a (this/this thing)
• ebe a (here/this place)
• nke a (this/this one)
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4. Used as prefix to negative verb (first person subject and second person plural) (harmonizes: alternative is e-)
Examples
• abịaghị m (I didn't come)
• ha abịaghị (They didn't come)
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5. Used as prefix to verb (first person subject) (harmonizes: alternative is e-)
Examples
• abịara m (I came)
• ajụrụ m ajụjụ (I asked a question)
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6. Used as prefix to verb for present participle (harmonizes: alternative is e-)
Examples
• ana m abịa (I'm coming)
• ha na-abia (they are coming)
• ha na-achi ọchi (they are laughing)
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7. Used as prefix to verb for perfect tense (harmonizes: alternative is e-)
Syntax: a[verb root]la
Examples
• abiala m (I've come)
• ha abiala (they have come)
• Emeka abiala (Emeka has come)
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8. Suffixed to verb root to make the verb imperative (harmonizes: alternatives are e, o, ọ)
Syntax: [verb root]a
Examples
• pịa ya (press it)
• chịa ya ọchị (laugh at it)
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1. Aba is a city in Abia State, Nigeria.
Tone:
Examples
• John bi n'Aba (John lives in Aba)
• m ga aga Aba echi (I will go to Aba tomorrow)
• Aba di nso na Port Harcourt (Aba is close to Port Harcourt)
• esi m Aba lọta ụnyaahụ (I came back from Aba yesterday)
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2. Anglicised as Abba. Abba is a community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Tone:
Examples
• John bi n'Abba (John lives in Abba)
• m ga aga Abba echi (I will go to Abba tomorrow)
• Abba di nso na Awka (Abba is close to Awka)
• esi m Abba lọta ụnyaahụ (I came back from Abba yesterday)
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3. To fall or lie flat on the back
Tone:
Example
• ọ dara egbe aba (he fell flat on his back)
• o dina egbe aba (he is lying flat on his back)
• cassava (boiled, sliced and soaked in water overnight to reduce starch)
Tone:
Example
• biko gwọtara m abacha (please prepare abacha for me)
• abacha na-amasi (I like abacha)
• abacha a dị ụtọ (this abacha is delicious)
to be wide (adjective)
Tone:
Example
• efere ya dị abadaba (the plate is wide)
• efere abadaba (wide plate)
night
Tone:
Other dialects: abanị
Synonym: anyasị, uchichi
Examples
• etiti abalị (midnight)
• mgbede abalị (late evening)
• ụtụtụ na abalị (morning and night)
• ụtụtụ, mgbede na abalị (morning, evening and night)
• ọ biara n'ụlọ n'abalị (he came to my house at night)
• ndị abalị dị egwu (armed robbers who operate at night)(Literally: 'nights are teribble' people)
night
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: abalị
Dialects: Onitsha and some northern Igbo
1. Part of the verb used to express present continuous tense and future tense for 'come'. The other part is the auxiliary verb 'na' or 'ga'.
Tone:
Examples
• na-abịa (coming)
• ga-abịa (will come)
• ọ na-abịa (he is coming)
• ọ ga-abịa (he will come)
• John ga-abịa (John will come)
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2. Abịa is Anglicised as Abia. Abia is a state in Nigeria. The capital of Abia State is Umuahia. Aba is Abia State's commercial city.
Tone:
the Igbo alphabet
Tone:
a b ch d e f g gb gh gw h i ị j k kp kw l m n ṅ nw ny o ọ p r s sh t u ụ v w y z
Examples
• abịdịị Igbo nwere mkpụrụ edemede iri atọ na isii (the Igbo alphabet has 36 letters)
long basket used for taking wares to the market / shopping basket/cart
Tone:
Similar to: nkata, ekete
Examples
• nwanne m nwoke ga eji abọ buru eghu ahụ gaa ahịa (my brother will take the goat to the market in a basket)
a sacred tree
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: abọsi
Dialects: Orlu and some southern Igbo
a sacred tree
Tone:
Other dialects: abọshị
fowl with scanty feathers (usually used for sacrifice)
Tone:
Example
• biko gote abuke e ji achụ aja (please buy a fowl for sacrifice)
1. armpit
Tone:
Synonym: mkpa abụ
Example
• lekwe abụ m, enweghi ajị dị ya (Literally: look at my armpit, there are no hairs) (meaning: I'm as innocent as a child)
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2. pus
Tone:
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3. song (usually for worship)
Tone:
Similar to: ukwe, egwu
Example
• ịbụ abụ (to sing)
• abụ otuto (songs of praise)
• abụ ọma (psalm)
• anyi ga-aburu Chukwu abu otuto
• sị ya bụọrọ gi abụ (tell him to sing for you)
psalm
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: abụ (3)
two
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: abụọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
fat (fatty meat)
Tone:
Examples
• Eghu a mụrụ abụba (the meat of this goat is fatty)
vegetable
Tone:
Examples
• ofe abụbọ (vegetable soup)
• m na-esi ofe abụbọ (I'm cooking vegetable soup)
1. palm nut fibre (by-product of palm oil extraction)
Tone:
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2. strike (refusal to do something)
Tone:
Examples
• abụbụ ọrụ (worker's strike)
• abụbụ nri (hunger strike)(Literally: food strike)
• John gbara abụbụ nri (John is on hunger strike)
two
Tone:
Other dialects: abụa, ibụa, ibụọ
Synonym: mbọ
Examples
• otu, abụọ, atọ, anọ (one, two, three, four)
• enwere m ụmụnne abụọ (I have two siblings)
• Chineke kere igwe na ala n'ụbọchi nke abụọ (God created the sky and land on the second day)
cricket (edible insect)
Tone:
Similar to: nte
bamboo (bambusa) and elephant grass (cenchrus purpureus)
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: achara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
Bamboo (bambusa) and elephant grass (cenchrus purpureus). In some places bamboo is ọtọsi and elephant grass is achara.
Tone:
Other dialects: achala
Synonym: ọtọsi
Examples
• onye gbuwe achara onye gbuwe, onye akpọla ibe ya onye ikoli (focus on the job at hand)(Literally: each person should keep cutting the elephant grass, let no one call the other a prisoner)
brachystegia eurycoma (soup thickner, used as alternative to cocoyam)
Tone:
Examples
• John siri ofe achị (John cooked achị soup)
• biko jiri achị mee ụrịa ma ọ bụrụ na ede adịghi (please use achị to thicken the soup if there is no cocoyam)
bread (also used for other dry food)
Tone:
Examples
• John na-ata achịcha (John is eating bread)
• achọrọ m achịcha na mmiri (I want bread and water)
1. daughter (first daughter when a specific family is referenced)
Tone:
Examples
• nwa ada (a daughter)
• ụmụ ada (married daughters of a particular community)
• ada eze (princess)
• ada nna (first daughter)
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2. fall (verbal complement)
Tone:
Examples
• ịda ada (to fall)
• ọ dara ada (he fell)
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3. baby's spit-up milk after breastfeeding
Tone:
Examples
• nnwa gbọrọ ada (my baby spit-up milk)
baboon
Tone:
bitter kola (garcinia kola)
Tone:
Other dialects: akị ilu, akụ ilu, agbị ilu
1. divination
Tone:
Examples
• dibia afa (diviner)
• ịgba afa (to perform divination)
• ka anyi gaa n'afa (let's go to a diviner)
• John na-agba afa - John is performing divination
• John na-agba afa - John is a diviner
• John na-agba afa - John performs divination
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2. name
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aha
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
shirt, dress
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: efe
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
plate (dining plate)
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: efere
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
market
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahịa
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
grass, weed
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahịhịa
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. stomach, belly
Tone:
Other dialects: ahọ
Examples
• afọ ojuju (contentment, satisfaction)
• afọ juru m (I am satisfied)
• afọ ime (pregnancy)
• afọ ojuju (contentment, satisfaction)
• afọ ime (pregnancy)
• nnwa afọ (biological child)
• nwa afọ (indigene, citizen)
• nwanne afọ (sibling from the same mother)
• afọ nri (gluttony)
• afọ mgbu (stomach ache)
• afọ oghughu (stomach ache)
• afọ ọma (kindness, generous, benevolent)
• afọ otuto (swollen belly)
• afọ ọsịsa (dysentery)
• eriri afọ (intestine)
• ngịrị afọ (intestine)
• afọ mgbachi (loss of appetite)
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2. year
Tone:
Other dialects: arọ, ahọ
Examples
• afọ ise (five years)
• afọ ole ka ị dị? (how old are you?)
• adị m afọ ise (I am five years old)
• afọ ohụrụ (new year)
• ịchụ afọ (new year celebration)
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3. One of the days of the Igbo week (afọ, nkwọ, eke, orie). Each of the days is a market day.
Tone:
Other dialects: ahọ
Examples
• Taa bụ afọ (Today is afọ)
• ndị obodo anyị na azụ afọ (Our community market is afọ)
• Nwaafọ (Personal name for a boy born on afọ day. Anglicised as Nwafor)
• Okeafọ (Personal name for a boy born on afọ day. Anglicised as Okafor)
• Mgbaafọ (Personal name for a girl born on afọ day. Anglicised as Mgbafor)
that
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
beard
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahụ ọnụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
eggplant, garden egg (solanum macrocarpon)
Tone:
Synonym: aṅara
suffering
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahụhụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. a specie of yam
Tone:
Examples
• ji aga (yam)
• akọrọ m ji aga n'afọ a (I planted the aga specie of yam this year)
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2. large hand-held needle used for sewing sacks and similar items
Tone:
Similar to: ntụtụ
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3. barren
Tone:
Examples
• nwaanyị aga (barren women)
• nwaanyị aga atụrụla ime (the barren woman has conceived)
lion (male lion only). The agaba masquerade is named after the lion.
Tone:
Similar to: ọdụm
old person
Tone:
Similar to: okenye
Examples
• agadi nwoke (old man)
• agadi nwaanyị (old woman)
• ndị agadi (old people)
• John na-eme ka agadi nwoke (John behaves like an old man)
a bold thief
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agavu
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
a bold thief
Tone:
Other dialects: agafu
Examples
• i weere ego m dowere n'elu oche. Ị bụ agavu (You took the money I kept on the chair. You are a bold thief)
maize meal
Tone:
Examples
• Ana m eri agidi (I am eating maize meal)
huge, impressive (onomatopoeia)
Tone:
Examples
• ọ zọrọ m agịdịgị ụkwụ ya ahu (he stepped on me with that his huge leg)
leopard
Tone:
Examples
• ogbu agụ (leopard killer)
• akpụkpọ agụ (leopard skin)
• ukwu jie agụ, mgbada a biara ya ụgwọ (Literally: if the leopard becomes lame, the deer comes for debt collection)
crocodile
Tone:
razor
Tone:
Examples
• ọ bụ na agụba adịghị nkọ, ka ọ bụ na ọkpụ isi amaghị akpụ? (Literally: is it that the razor is not sharp, or that the barber doesn't know how to cut?)
denial
Tone:
Examples
• o weere akwụkwọ m, m jụọ ya, ya gọọ agụgọ (he took my book, I asked him and he denied)
hunger
Tone:
Other dialects: agụụ, agụrụ
Examples
• agụọ na-agụ m (I am hungry)
• agụọ na-agụ nnwa m (my child is hungry)
hunger
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agụọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
hunger
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agụọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. jaw
Tone:
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2. testament, will, covenant
Tone:
Examples
• agba ọhụrụ (new testament)
• agba ochie (old testament)
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3. rheumatism, arthritis
Tone:
Examples
• agba ikpere (arthritis of the knee)
a god
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agbara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
a god
Tone:
Other dialects: agbala
Similar to: arụshị, agwụ
boundary line; border, division, separation
Tone:
Similar to: oke
Examples
• agbata obi (neighbour, neighbourhood)
• onye agbata obi (neighbour)
• John bụ onye agbata obi (John is my neighbour)
• agbata obi onye bụ nwanne ya (one's neighbour is his brother)
• ajọ omume unu na-etinye agbata n'etiti unu na Chineke unu (your iniquities have separated you from your God)
neighbour, neighbourhood
Tone:
Examples
• onye agbata obi (neighbour)
• John bụ onye agbata obi (John is my neighbour)
• agbata obi onye bụ nwanne ya (one's neighbour is his brother)
bond, a binding
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ọgbụ
ant (non-climbing ant that stings)
Tone:
Other dialects: agbụsị
Similar to: ahụhụ
Examples
• agbịsị gbaa otele ọ mụrụ akọ (Literally: if the buttocks is stung by an ant, it becomes wise) (meaning: experience is the best teacher)
a tout
Tone:
1. vomit
Tone:
Examples
• ịgbọ agbọ (to vomit)
• John na-agbọ agbọ (John is vomiting)
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2. descent, lineage, race, inheritable feature
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agbụrụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
damsel, maiden
Tone:
Examples
• a lụta agbọghọ, a chụpụ agadị (Literally: when a maiden is married, the old wife is divorced) (meaning: new things are fascinating)
damsel, maiden
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agbọghọ
bond, a binding
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ọgbụ
compost, manure
Tone:
descent, lineage, race, inheritable feature
Tone:
Other dialects: agbọ
Examples
• ido agbụrụ (to copulate a male and female to obtain the good feature of one of the the target parent in the offspring. Could be humans, animals or plants)
• biko resi m mkpi a, achọrọ m idoro agbụrụ ya (please sell this billy goat to me, I want to have offsprings with its features)
• agbụrụ ha na-ama mma (their lineage are beautiful)
• agadi nwere onye na-elekọta ya, sị na agbụrụ ya anaghị aka nka (Literally: an old person that has a carer says her lineage do not age)
• agbụrụ na-eri ekpe anaghị agwọ onye ọrịa (Literally: a race that benefits from inheritance does not care for their sick)
ant (non-climbing ant that stings)
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agbịsị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
war
Tone:
Other dialects: aya
Examples
• tupu agha (before the war)
• ibuso agha (to wage war)
• ịgba ọsọ agha (to escape wage)
• ịlụ agha (to fight in war)
• ịga agha (to go to war)
• ije agha (to go to war)
• ndị agha (soldiers)
• ọchị agha (commanding officer)
• agha akara aka anaghị eri ngwọrọ (Literally: the cripple does not die in a fight that was annouced before the war)
how?, how are you?, how are things?
Tone:
disorderliness, disorder, lack of order
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aghara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
disorderliness, disorder, lack of order
Tone:
Other dialects: aghala, ayala
Examples
• ọgbọ aghara (riot, chaos)
• onye aghara (one who does not follow process)
• John dị aghara, ọ na aṅụ oke mmanya (John is rebellious, he drinks a lot)
trick, deceit, cunning
Tone:
Other dialects: awụwọ
Examples
• ịghọ aghụghọ (to be tricky)
• ịghọ aghụghọ (to be cunning)
• ọ ghọrọ aghụghọ n'okwe ahụ (he cheated in that game)
1. cowpea (beans)
Tone:
Similar to: ndudu, akịdị
Examples
• John na-esi agwa (John is cooking beans)
• ana m eri agwa (I am eating beans)
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2. behaviour, mannerism
Tone:
Similar to: omume
Examples
• nwata a nwere ezigbo agwa (this child is well-mannered)
• agwa ị na-akpaso ya adịghị mma (your behaviour towards him is not good) (you don't treat him well)
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3. colour
Tone:
Examples
• itu agwa (to have a colour)
snake
Tone:
Similar to: eke
Examples
• agwọ ịtụ ihe (snake to bite something)
• agwọ ahụ tụrụ enyi ahụ (the snake bit the elephant)
a deity that can possess a person and make him behave in a strange manner
Tone:
Similar to: arụshị, agbara
Examples
• agwụ ịkpa mmadụ (to be possessed by the deity)
• agwụ na-akpa John (John is possessed by agwụ)
name
Tone:
Other dialects: afa, ava
Examples
• aha m (my name)
• aha otutu (praise-name)
• ịba aha (to give a name)
• aha ọjọọ (bad name)
• ịkpọ aha (to call by name)
• itu aha (to extol)
• ịza aha (to answer to a name)
• ịza aha (to bear a name, usually surname)
• John na-aza Okafor (John bears Okafor. His name is John Okafor)
• ị kpọọ m aha, aga m aza (If you call my name, I will answer)
• onye kpọrọ aha m? (who called my name?)
• o mebiri aha obodo ya (He spoilt the name of his community. He is a disgrace to the community.)
• ezigbo aha ka ego (a good name is better than money (wealth))
• ezi aha ka ego (a good name is better than money (wealth)
market
Tone:
Other dialects: afịa, avịa
Examples
• ụbọchi ahịa (market day)
• ngwa ahịa (wares, stock)
• ọma ahịa (market place, centre of market)
• ọnụ ahịa (price)
• ọ na-azụ ahịa ube (trades in cocoyam)
• John gara ahịa
• ahịa oma na-ere onwe ya
• ndị ahịa (traders)
• ndị mgbere ahịa (traders)
• ndị na-azụ ahịa na ndi orụ bekee (traders and civil servants)
• ọ ma anya ahịa (he understand the trade)
• ahịa onye na-azụ ka oma anya
• ihu ahịa (storefront, shopfront)
• onye ahịa m (my customer)
• ahịa akpa (contraband)
• ahịa attack (trading behind the enemy line. 'Attack' is an English word.)
• ịzụ ahịa (to trade)
• ịkpọwa ahịa (to display wares)
• ịgba aka ahịa (to be the first to buy from a seller in the day. The first buyer brings good luck)
• ịtụ ahịa (to order goods)
• ịgba ahịa (to deal in a specific product or location)
• ọ na-agba China (he goes to China to sell/buy)
• ịghọ ahịa (to lose)
Corchorus olitorius Linn. (vegetable for making soup)
Tone:
Other dialects: arịraa
grass, weed
Tone:
Other dialects: afịfịa
Examples
• ịsụ ahịhịa (to cut grass)
grace, favour
Tone:
Other dialects: arịnze
1. that, those
Tone:
Other dialects: afụ
Examples
• oche ahụ (that chair)
• ndị ahụ (those people)
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2. body
Tone:
Other dialects: arụ
Examples
• ahụ mgbu (sickness)
• ahụ mgbu (illness)
• ahụ ike (health)
• ahụ ọkụ (fever)
• mma ahụ (physical beauty)
• ajọ ahụ (back luck)
• nwanne ahụ (near relative)
• ahụ ụfụ (distress)
• ahụ ụfụ (discomfort)
• ido ahụ (to look healthy)
• ikawa ahụ (to persevere)
• ikawa ahụ (to strive)
• ikata ahụ (to be courageous)
• imeka ahụ (to bother)
• imerụ ahụ (to injure)
• imerụ ahụ (to wound)
• imerụ ahụ (to hurt)
• ịra ahụ (to be difficult)
• ịsa ahụ (to wash the body/bathe)
• ịghụ ahụ (to wash the body/bathe)
beard
Tone:
Other dialects: afụ ọnụ
Examples
• ọ gbara ahụ ọnụ (he has beard)
• ana m akpụ ahụ ọnụ (I am shaving my beard)
1. ant, ant-like insect
Tone:
Other dialects: arụrụ
Similar to: agbịsị
Examples
• onye kpara nkụ ahụhụ rịọrọ ngwere ọrịrị (he who fetches ant-infested firewood, invites the lizard to hang out)
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2. suffering
Tone:
Other dialects: afụfụ
Examples
• ịta ahụhụ (to suffer)
• ọ na-ata ahụhụ (he is suffering)
• ọ tagbuola onye ya n'ahụhụ (he is suffering a lot)
1. soil, sand
Tone:
Similar to: ụrọ
Examples
• ikpo aja (to gather sand, especially for construction)
• aja ụpa(clay soil)
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2. sacrifice
Tone:
Examples
• ịchụ aja (to offer sacrifice)
• anyị na-achụ aja (we are offering sacrifice)
• aja dị nsọ (holy sacrifice)
widow
Tone:
Similar to: isi ekpe
dreadlocks
Tone:
Similar to: dada
Examples
• ishi ajata (dreadlocks)
hair on the human body except the hair on the head, hair on animals
Tone:
Similar to: ntutu
Examples
• ịgba ajị (to have hair)
• ịgba ajị (to grow hair)
• ịkpụ ajị (to shave hair)
pepple
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ajịrịja
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
pepple
Tone:
Other dialects: ajịlịja
bad
Tone:
Similar to: ọjọọ, njọ
Examples
• ajọ mmadụ (evil person)
• ajọ mmadụ (wicked person)
• ajọ ndụ (immoral life)
• ajọ ọrụ (badly done work)
• ajọ aha (bad name)
• ajọ agwa (ill-mannered)
• ajọ ihe (bad thing)
• ajọ ọria (malignant disease)
• ajọ ahụ (bad luck)
• ajọ mmụọ (evil spirit)
• ajọ ọhia (evil forest)
• ajọ ọnọdụ (bad position)
• ajọ ọnọdụ (bad condition)
• ajọ ọnụ (foul-mouthedness)
• ajọ uche (bad plan)
• ajọ uche (evil thought)
1. antidote
Tone:
Examples
• eji m ajụ ya (I have the antidote)
______________________________________
2. headpad
Tone:
Examples
• ịgba ajụ (to roll a headpad)
______________________________________
3. dizziness
Tone:
Examples
• ajụ ibu (to be dizzy)
• ajụ na-ebu m (I am dizzy)
• ajụ na-ebu John (John is dizzy)
• ibu ajụ (to cause dizziness)
• ọgwụ ịba na-ebu ajụ (malaria drugs cause dizziness)
question
Tone:
Examples
• ịjụ ajụjụ (to ask question)
• John jụrụ m ajụjụ (John asked me a question)
• ịza ajụjụ (to answer question)
• biko zaa ajụjụ a (please answer this question)
1. year
Tone:
Examples
• aka na-abịa (next year)
• akaa (last year)
• aka ahụ (last year)
______________________________________
2. hand, handle, branch
Tone:
Examples
• mkpụrụ aka (finger)
• mkpịsị aka (finger)
• isi aka (thumb)
• ọdụ aka (pinky finger)
• ọdụ aka (little finger)
• ọbụ aka (palm of the hand)
• akara aka (destiny) (Literally: lines on the hand)
• akpụ aka (biceps)
• mbọ aka (finger nail)
• aka nri (right hand)
• aka ekpe (left hand)
• ubu aka (shoulder)
• ikpere aka (elbow)
• aka izize (reluctant hand)
• aka nkọ (quick-handed)
• aka ntụtụ (light-fingered)
• ogwe aka (arm)
• aka azụ (bribery)
• aka ike (stinginess)
• aka nka (artistic, creative)
• aka odo (pestle)
• aka ebe (witness)
• aka ebe (surety)
• aka nro (soft hand)
• aka efe (sleeve of shirt)
• aka osisi (tree branch)
• inye aka (to help)
• ịkwọ aka (to wash hand)
• ịkụ aka (to clap)
• ikwe n'aka (hand shake)
• ịgba aka (to be empty-handed)
• ịgba aka nwa (to be childless)
• ife aka (to wave)
• iji n'aka (to be sure)
• ịdị n'aka (to be responsible for)
• iji n'aka (to be certain)
• ime aka abụọ (Literally: to be double handed) (meaning: a thief)
• ịjịkọ aka (Literally: to join hand) (to marry)
• ịma aka (to challenge)
______________________________________
3. animal tick
Tone:
Similar to: igwi, akpị
Examples
• A tụpụ nwa nkịta aka, egosi ya, ka ọ ghara iche na ị tụrụ ya mbọ (Literally: when a tick is removed from a dog, the tick is shown to the dog, so the dog doesn't think it was pinched)
______________________________________
4. far
Tone:
Examples
• ite aka (to be far)
• igate aka (to go far)
• ibite aka (to live far away)
• ibute aka (to carry far away)
witness
Tone:
Examples
• ịgba aka ebe (to witness)
• ịgba aka ebe (to testify)
mockery, humiliation
Tone:
Examples
• ime akaje (to humiliate)
• o mere m akaje n'ọgbọ (he humiliated me in public)
• e mere ya akaje n'ọma ahịa (he was disgraced in the market square)
dwarf
Tone:
sign, mark
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
a spirit that possess individuals amd make them stupid or foolish
Tone:
corn pap
Tone:
Examples
• ịyọ akamu (to sieve ground corn to separate the pap from the chaff)
• igbo akamu (to prepare akamu with hot water)
• ịṅụ akamu (to drink akamu)
potash
Tone:
1. sign; mark
Tone:
Other dialects: akala
Examples
• akara aka (destiny)
• akara aka (the lines on the palm of the hand)
• ika akara (to draw a line)
______________________________________
2. cowpea cake
Tone:
Examples
• ita akara (to eat cowpea cake)
• ihe akara (to fry cowpea cake)
• nwata na-ata akara na-ata ego ya (Literally: a child that is eating akara is eating his money)
crowd puller
Tone:
great person
Tone:
nut, palm kernel, coconut
Tone:
Other dialects: akụ
Examples
• akị oyibo (coconut)
• ude akị (palm kernel oil for the skin)
• mmanụ akị (palm kernel oil for cooking)
• ichere akị (shell of palm kernel)
• asara akị (shell of palm kernel)
• akị awụsa (tiger nut)
• akị mkpị (two palm kernel joined by one endocarp)
• akị ilu (bitter kola. See dictionary entry under: adu)
• ịkpa akị (to search for palm kernel under the palm tree)
• iti akị (to crack palm kernel)
• ọ bụghị otu akị ilu na-ada n'ọnụ ka ọ na-atọ (Literally: bitter kola does not taste the same way it sounds when chewed) (Things are not always as they seem)
dry grass, dry leaves
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akịrịka
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
termite
Tone:
Similar to: mkpu
Examples
• akịka tara akwụkwọ ya (termites destroyed his book)
frog
Tone:
Similar to: awọ
dry grass, dry leaves
Tone:
Other dialects: akịlịka
intelligence
Tone:
Similar to: amaniihe
Examples
• akọ na uche (intelligence and mind, that's intelligence with the head and heart)
jaundice
Tone:
insult, verbal abuse, invective
Tone:
fan
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: nkufe
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. nut, palm kernel, coconut
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
2. wealth, riches
Tone:
Examples
• akụ na ụba (wealth and riches)
• inwe akụ (to be wealthy)
• ịkpa akụ (to acquire wealth)
• ọkpa akụ eri eri (a miser) (Literaly: acquirer of wealth that does not eat eat)
• ori akụ (wife)
• ụlọ akụ (bank)
______________________________________
3. pubic hair
Tone:
Similar to: ajị
Examples
• ịgba akụ (to grow pubic hair)
______________________________________
4. arrow
Tone:
Similar to: ube
Examples
• ịgba akụ (to shoot arrow)
• a gbaa nke mbụ ọ tụọ n'ogwe, a gbaa nke abụọ, ọ tụọ n'ogwe. Ọ bụzị ogwe ga a pịara akụ (Literally: the first arrow missed the target and hit the trunk, the second shot hit the trunk, is the arrow manufactured for the trunk?)
______________________________________
5. edible winged termite
Tone:
Examples
• akụ ferecha, ọ daara nwa awọ (Literally: when the termite is done flying, it falls to the toad)
• ịchụ akụ (to catch termites - during the day)
• ịmụ akụ (to catch termites - at night)
story
Tone:
Examples
• ịkọ akụkọ (to tell story)
• akụkọ ifo (folklore)
• akụkọ ụwa (news)
• John na-akoro ụmụ ya akụkọ (John is telling his children stories)
1. side
Tone:
Examples
• n'akụkụ (beside)
• o bi n'akụkụ ụlọ m (he lives beside my house)
• tinye ya n'akụkụ (put it aside)
______________________________________
2. slang
Tone:
Examples
• ịkụ akụkụ (to speak in slangs)
bag, sack
Tone:
Examples
• akpa mmamiri (bladder)
• akpa nnwa (womb)
• akpa nnwa (uterus)
• akpa amụ (scrotum)
• akpa ego (one hundred pounds £100)
• akpa ego (two hundred naira ₦200)
fowl dung, bird dung
Tone:
Other dialects: akpana
fowl dung, bird dung
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akpala
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. long broom that is a by-product of the palm frond eaten by goats
Tone:
______________________________________
2. measles, rubella
Tone:
Examples
• akpata ịgba (to be infected by measles)
• akpata na-agba ya (he is infected by measles)
• akpata gbara ya (he is infected by measles)
goose pimples
Tone:
Examples
• akpata oyi ịwụ (to get goose pimples)
• akpata oyi wụrụ m mgbe m nụrụ ya (I got goose pimples when I heard it)
box
Tone:
Similar to: igbe
Examples
• akpati ozu (coffin)
1 scorpion
Tone:
Examples
• akpị ịgba (scorpion to sting)
• akpị gbara John (John was stung by a scorpion)
______________________________________
2. tick
Tone:
Similar to: igwi, aka
throat
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akpịrị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
throat
Tone:
Other dialects: akpịlị
Examples
• akpịrị ogologo (Literally" long throat) (one who desires for what they don't deserve)
• akpịrị ịkpọ nkụ (to be thirsty)
• akpịrị na-akpọ m nkụ (I am thirsty)
• ịdọ akpịrị (to long for something)
lumps in pounded cassava, lumps in pounded cocoyam
Tone:
Examples
• a sụtaghị akpụ a, ọ gbara akpịrịkpọ (this cassava is not well-pounded, it has lumps)
1. cassava, pounded cassava
Tone:
Examples
• akọrọ m akpụ n'afọ a (I planted cassava this year)
• ana m ayọ akpụ a kwọrọ akwọ (I am sieving grated cassava)
• John na-elo akpụ (John is eating pounded cassava) (Literally: John is swallowing cassava)
• anyị gara ifo akpụ (we went to harvest cassava) (Literally: we went to uproot cassava)
______________________________________
2. lump, hump
Tone:
bicep
Tone:
skin, leather, hide
Tone:
Examples
• akpụkpọ ahụ (skin, human skin)
• akpụkpọ ụkwụ (shoe, sandals, footwear)
shoe, sandals, footwear
Tone:
Synonym: akpụụkwụ
shoe, sandals, footwear
Tone:
Synonym: akpụkpọ ụkwụ
1. egg
Tone:
Examples
• iyi akwa (to lay egg)
• ịbụ akwa (to hatch egg)
• ighe akwa (to fry egg)
• isi akwa (to cook egg)
• akwa eghere eghe (fried egg)
• akwa ọkụkọ (chicken egg)
• ọkụkọ m yiri akwa (my chicken laid an egg)
______________________________________
2. cloth
Tone:
Examples
• ịkwa akwa (to sew cloth)
• iyi akwa (to wear cloth)
• ibe akwa (to cut cloth - for sewing)
• ịsa akwa (to wash cloth)
• ịsụ akwa (to wash cloth)
• ide akwa (to iron cloth)
• ịdọka akwa (to tear cloth)
• ịgbasa akwa (to spread cloth)
• ịpịa akwa (to fold cloth)
______________________________________
3. bed, bridge
Tone:
Examples
• akwa mmiri (bridge)
• idina n'akwa (to lie in the bed)
______________________________________
4. cry
Tone:
Examples
• ịkwa akwa (to cry)
• ibe akwa (to cry)
• ịgụgụ akwa (to console)
vein, muscle
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: akwara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. vein, muscle
Tone:
Other dialects: akwala
______________________________________
2. fibre from stem of palm, fibre from palm frond
Tone:
Other dialects: akwala
funeral
Tone:
1. palm nut
Tone:
Examples
• ogbe akwụ (palm fruit)
• mmanu akwụ (palm oil)
• akwụ ojukwu (a specie of palm fruit)
• akwụ ọsụkwụ (a tender palm nut with lots of oil)
• abụbụ akwụ (fibre that is by-product of palm oil extraction)
• igbu akwụ (to harvest palm fruit)
______________________________________
2. bird's nest
Tone: àkwụ́
cooking tripod, cooking stand
Tone:
Synonym: ekwu
leaf
Tone:
Examples
• akwụkwọ osisi (leaf of tree)
• akwụkwọ nri (vegetable)
• akwụkwọ iwu (law book)
• akwụkwọ nso (holy book)
• akwụkwọ ukwe (hymn book)
• ụlọ akwụkwọ (school building)
• nwa akwụkwọ (student)
• nwata akwụkwọ (student)
• ụmụ akwụkwọ (students)
• dibia mkpa akwụkwọ (herbalist)
• ịkpa akwụkwọ (to collect leaves)
• ịgụ akwụkwọ (to be educated)
• ịgụ akwụkwọ (to read a book)
• ịga akwụkwọ (to go to school)
• ide akwụkwọ (to write a book)
• ide akwụkwọ (to write a letter)
• ibi akwụkwọ (to print a book)
• ịsape akwụkwọ (to open a book, flip though the pages)
• ịsaghe akwụkwọ (to open a book, flip though the pages)
• imeghe akwụkwọ (to open a book)
• ịdọka akwụkwọ (to tear a book)
• ịgba akwụkwọ (to wed in church, to wed in the court)
• ịgba akwụkwọ (to sue in court)
• ịma akwụkwọ (to be brainy)
• ịmụ akwụkwọ (to study)
epilepsy
Tone:
Examples
• ịda akwụkwụ (to have epileptic fit)
prostitute
Tone:
Synonym: akwụnakwụna
Examples
• ịgba akwụna (prostitution)
prostitute
Tone:
Synonym: akwụna
1. land, floor, ground
Tone:
Other dialects: anị, ana, ale, alị
Examples
• ntọ ala (origin)
• nsọ ala (abomination)
• ịrụ ala (to commit abomination)
• ụgbọ ala (motor, vehicle)
______________________________________
2. have sex
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
3. breast
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
4. madness
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
branch
Tone:
Other dialects: anaka
Similar to: ngalaba, aka
Examples
• alaka osisi (branch of tree)
the name of tortoise's wife in folklores
Tone:
Similar to: anịm, anụm
worn-out thing, usually bicycle or machine
Tone:
1. resentment at tragedy
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arịrị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
2. millipede
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arịrị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
counsel, advice, suggestion
Tone:
Examples
• ịtụ alo (to deliberate)
• ịtụnye alo (to give advice)
• ịtụnye alo (to offer suggestion)
heaviness
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. bite
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
2. abomination, taboo
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
misdeed
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arụrụ ala
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
marriage
Tone:
Other dialects: anụmdi
deity
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arụshị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. distinguishing feature
Tone:
Examples
• ịhụwa ama (to identify something by distiguishing feature)
• ịriba ama (to identify something by distiguishing feature)
______________________________________
2. outside the compound wall, the large space leading to a compound
Tone:
Examples
• ama nne gi eshila (Literally: may the entrance to your maternal home never close) (meaning: may your maternal home lineage live on)
• ụmụnne anyị, ndị bi n'ụlọ na ndị bi n'ama (our brethren who live at home and those who live abroad)
______________________________________
3. span, section
Tone:
Examples
• ama okwu (verse)
• Abụ ọma, isi nke iri abụọ na atọ, ama okwu nke ise (Psalms, chapter 23 verse 5)
______________________________________
4. divulge secret
Tone:
Examples
• igba ama (to divulge secret)
• John gbara ndị ntọ ama ebe James no (John divulged James location to kidnappers)
______________________________________
5. witness
Tone:
Similar to: akaebe
Examples
• ịgba ama (to bear witness)
• ama ụgha (false witness)
• ịgba ụgha ama (to bear false witness)
1. grace, favour
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: amara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
______________________________________
2. canoe paddle
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: amara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. grace, favour
Tone:
Other dialects: amala
Examples
• site n'amara nke Chukwu (by the grace of God)
• ana m emere gi amara (I'm doing you a favour)
______________________________________
2. canoe paddle
Tone:
Other dialects: amala
Examples
• ụgbọ amara (canoe)
witch
Tone:
1. penis
Tone:
Similar to: utu, ikpu
Examples
• akpa amụ (scrotum)
• mkpụrụ amụ (testis)
• ịpị amụ (to castrate)
______________________________________
2. laughter
Tone:
Synonym: ọchị
Examples
• ịkpa amụ (to amuse)
• ịmụ amụ (to laugh)
1. prophecy
Tone:
Examples
• amụma ụgha (false prophecy)
• onye amụma(prophet)
• ndị amụma (prophets)
• ibu amụma (to prophesy)
______________________________________
2. lightning, shiny
Tone:
Examples
• amụma na-egbu (there is lightning)
• ihu ya na-egbu amụma (his face is shining)
land, floor, ground
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ala
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
branch
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: alaka
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
Similar to: ngalaba, aka
land, floor, ground
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ala
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
the name of tortoise's wife in folklores
Tone:
Similar to: alịa, anụm
four
Tone:
Other dialects: ịnọ, nnọ
Examples
• otu, abụọ, atọ, anọ, ise (one, two, three, four, five)
• nke anọ (fourth)
• ụlọ anọ (four houses)
meat, animal
Tone:
Examples
• anụmanụ (animal)
• anụ ezi (pork)
• anụ ehi (beef)
• anụ egbu (goat meat)
• anụ na azụ (meat and fish)
the name of tortoise's wife in folklores
Tone:
Similar to: alịa, anịm
marriage
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: alụmdi
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
wild cane
Tone:
eggplant
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aṅara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
eggplant, garden egg (solanum macrocarpon)
Tone:
Other dialects: aṅala
bee
Tone:
Other dialects: anwụ
Examples
• mmanụ aṅụ (honey)
• aṅụ ịgba (bee to sting)
joy
Tone:
Other dialects: anwụlị
Examples
• obi aṅụlị (joyful)
drunkard
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aṅụrụma
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
drunkard
Tone:
Other dialects: aṅụlụma
Examples
• onye aṅụrụma (a drunkard)
phlegm, sputum
Tone:
1. sun, sunshine
Tone:
Examples
• anwụ iti (the sun to shine)
• anwụ mgbede (evening sun)
• anwụ ụtụtụ (morning sun)
• ize anwụ (to shelter from the sun)
______________________________________
2. mosquito
Tone:
Examples
• anwụ nta (mosquito)
• ịmụ anwụ (to breed mosquitos)
______________________________________
3. bee
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aṅụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
joy
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aṅụlị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
smoke, tobacco snuff, cigarette
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: anwụrụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. smoke
Tone:
Other dialects: anwụlụ
Examples
• udu anwụrụ (tick smoke)
• ịkwụ anwụrụ (to generate smoke)
______________________________________
2. cigarette
Tone:
Other dialects: anwụlụ
Examples
• ise anwụrụ (to smoke cigarette)
• ịṅụ anwụrụ (to smoke cigarette)
______________________________________
3. tobacco snuff
Tone:
Other dialects: anwụlụ
Synonym: ụtaba
Examples
• ịkpọ anwụrụ (to inhale tobacco snuff)
• mkpọ anwụrụ (snuff box)
1. eye
Tone:
Examples
• anya ụfụ (envy)
• anya ike (intimidation)
• anya mkpọ (blindness)
• anya mmiri (tears)
• anya ukwu (greed)
• ịgba anya mmiri (to shed tears)
• mma anya (physical beauty)
• nku anya (eye brow)
• enyo anya (eye glasses)
• ugegbe anya (eye glasses)
• ọkụ anya (eye glasses)
• ntabi anya (twinkle of an eye)
• n'otu ntabi anya (in a twinkle of an eye)
• ịba n'anya (to intoxicate)
• mmanya na-ana n'anya (alcoholic drink)
• ịdị anya (to be far)
• ido anya (to understand a topic)
• ịgbado anya (to be careful)
• ịgbagwoju anya (to confuse)
• ịgbanwoju anya (to confuse)
• ịkọdo anya (to explain to some's understanding)
• ihi aka naabụ n'anya (to tread carefully) (Literally: to rub two hands against the eyes)
• ịhụju anya (to suffer) (Literally: to have seen enough)
• ịhụshi anya (to suffer) (Literally: to be blinded by sight)
• ịhụ n'anya (to love)
• ịhụnanya (love)
• iju anya (to be overwhelmed)
• iju anya (to be astonish)
• ịka anya (to be fearless)
• ịkpacha anya (to do something on purpose)
• ịkpachara anya (to be carefull)
• ile anya (to look)
• ile anya (to look forward to)
• ile anya (to expect)
• ileba anya (to look into)
• ilebọ anya (to keenly observe with the intention of finding fault)
• ilefe anya (to overlook)
• iletu anya (to look down)
• iletụ anya (to peek)
• ileda anya (to look down)
• ileda anya (to underestimate capability)
• iledo anya (to take good care of)
• ilefu anya (to look away)
• ileru anya (to take notice of)
• ileru anya (to be observant)
• ileru anya (to tend to)
• ịtọ anya n'ala (to be observant)
• ịtọ anya n'ala (to take notice of)
• ịtọ anya n'ala (to be careful)
• ịtọ anya n'ala (to take notice of)
• eleghi anya (did not look)
• eleghi anya (perhaps)
• ịma anya (to be knowledgeable)
• ime anya ụra (to be drowsy)
• imechi anya (to close the eyes)
• imeghari anya (to confuse)
• ịnọchi anya (to replace)
• ịtabi anya (to wink)
• ịrọ anya (to wink)
• ejighi abalị arọ anya (something things aare no appropriate for all occasions) (Literally: you don't wink at night)
• ịwa anya (to be fearless)
• ịtụ n'anya (to surprise)
• ịsọ anya (to take action or not take action because of respect for elder or authority)
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2. far
Tone:
Similar to: ite aka
Examples
• ịdị anya (to be far)
sun
Tone:
Examples
• ọwụwa anyaanwụ (sunrise)
• ọwụwa anyaanwụ (east)
• ọdịda anyaanwụ (sunset)
• ọdịda anyaanwụ (west)
night
Tone:
Synonym: anyasị, abalị
axe
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ọnụike
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
we, us, our
Tone:
Other dialects: ayị
Examples
• nke anyị (ours)
• nke anyị (ours)
• anyị nwa (we)
• anyị onwe anyi (we ourselves)
• o nyere anyị nri (he gave us food)
• anyị riri nri (we ate)
• anyị onwe anyị riri nri (we ate)
• nke a bụ nke anyị (this is ours)
• nke a bụ ụlọ anyị (this is our house)
horse
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ịnyịnya
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
pumpkin
Tone:
Similar to: ụgbọgụrụ
Examples
• ọmara ajụ bidoro aka n'ukwu ụgbọgụrụ na-ajụ ihe na-ami anyụ (a questioner leans on the stem of the pumpkin and ask what bears pumpkin fruit)
scar
Tone:
root
Tone:
Similar to: mgbọrụgụ
marsh
Tone:
1. have sex
Tone:
Other dialects: ala
Examples
• ịra (to have sex)
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3. breast
Tone:
Other dialects: ala
Examples
• mmiri ara (breast milk)
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4. madness
Tone:
Other dialects: ala
Examples
• onye ara (mad person)
• ịpụ ara (to become mad)
• ịghọ ara (to be mad)
worm (parasitic), nematode
Tone:
intestinal worm, roundworm
Tone:
Similar to: okpo
grace, favour
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahịnze
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
Corchorus olitorius Linn. (vegetable for making soup)
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahịhaa
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1. resentment at tragedy
Tone:
Other dialects: alịlị
Examples
• ebeela akwa arịrị, ụwa m o, ụwa m o! (I cry for my misfortune, my world, my world!)
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2. millipede
Tone:
Other dialects: alịlị
Similar to: esu
begging, petition, prayer
Tone:
Other dialects: ayịyọ
Similar to: ekpere
Examples
• ịrịọ arịrịọ (to beg)
• ka anyị rịọ arịrịọ (let us pray)
long iron musical gong
Tone:
1. heaviness
Tone:
Other dialects: alọ, arụ
Examples
• ibu arọ (heavy load)
• ịdị arọ (to be heavy)
• ite ahụ dị arọ (that pot is heavy)
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2. year
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: afọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
1 body
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
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2. abomination, taboo
Tone:
Other dialects: alụ
Examples
• ime arụ (to commit abomination)
• ikpo arụ (to cleanse abomination)
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1. bite
Tone:
Other dialects: alụ
Examples
• ita arụ (to bite)
• nkita tara John (a dog bite John)
1. ant, ant-like insect
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ahụhụ
Dialects: Some southern Igbo
misdeed
Tone:
Other dialects: arụrụ anị
Examples
• ịdị arụrụ ala (to be mischievous)
• ịrụ ala (to commit abomination)
• John dị arụrụ ala (John is mischievous)
deity
Tone:
Other dialects: arụsị, alụsị
Similar to: agwụ, agbara
Examples
• eze arụshị (priest of the deity)
• ido arụshị (to erect a deity)
• ịgọ arụshị (to worship a deity)
• okwu arụshị (shrine)
• ịpị arụshị (to carve a deity)
• arụshị kpawa ike e gosi ya osisi e jiri pịa ya (Literally: when the deity becomes too powerful, it is shown the wood it is made of)
deity
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arụshị
Dialects: Some southern Igbo
fish (Gymnarchus niloticus)
Tone:
eight
Tone:
Other dialects: ịsatọ
Examples
• otu, abụọ, atọ, anọ, ise, isii, asaa, asatọ (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight)
• nke asatọ (eighth)
• ụlọ asatọ (eight houses)
enquiry
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ese
Dialects: Some southern Igbo
1. hatred
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ashị
Dialects: Some southern Igbo
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2. lie
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ashị
Dialects: Some southern Igbo
gossip
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ashịrị
Dialects: Onitsha and some northern Igbo
sponge for washing utensils
Tone:
Similar to: ogbe
1. saliva
Tone:
Other dialects: asụ
Similar to: ọnụ mmiri
Examples
• ịgba asọ (to spit)
• ịbụ asọ (to spit)
• ịgbụ asọ (to spit)
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2. holy, saint
Tone:
Examples
• ịdị asọ (to be holy)
• Mary dị asọ (Holy Mary)
• Peter dị asọ (Saint Peter)
language
Tone:
Examples
• asụsụ Igbo (Igbo language)
• ịsụ asụsụ (to speak a language)
• John na-asụ asụsụ Igbo (John speaks Igbo language)
1. hatred
Tone:
Other dialects: asị
Examples
• ịkpọ ashị (to hate)
• akpọrọ m ashị (I hate it)
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2. lie
Tone:
Other dialects: asị
Examples
• ịtụ ashị(to lie)
gossip
Tone:
Other dialects: asịlị
Examples
• onye ashịrị (gossip person)
• ashịrị gbakaa ute (one who enjoys gossip) (Literally: gossip tears the mat)
spear-grass (especially it dominates other plants, thereby preventing proper fallowing)
Tone:
thatched roof
Tone:
Examples
• John bi n'ụlọ atarị (John lives in a thatched roof house)
three
Tone:
Other dialects: ịtọ, ntọ
Examples
• otu, abụọ, atọ (one, two, three)
• nke atọ (third)
• ụlọ atọ (three houses)
1. chewing stick
Tone:
Examples
• ịta atụ (to clean the mouth with chewing stick)
• ịta atụ (to brush the teeth)
• ofeke mụta atụta atụ, atụ gwụ n'ọhịa (if a fool learns to use chewing stick, all the chewing stick in the bush would be gone)
• ofeke mụta ịta atụ, atụ gwụ n'ọhịa (if a fool learns to use chewing stick, all the chewing stick in the bush would be gone)
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2. model, compared to, example
Tone:
Examples
• ịma atụ (to give example)
• ọmụmatụ (example)
• inwe atụ (to have a comparable)
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3. buffalo, Syncerus caffer nanus
Tone:
sheep
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: atụrụ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
sheep
Tone:
Other dialects: atụlụ
Similar to: ebila
Examples
• nwa atụrụ (lamb)
• anụ atụrụ (mutton)
• igwe atụrụ (flock of sheep)
• onye nche atụrụ (shepherd)
• atụrụ mụrụ ebila gba aka nwa (the sheep that gave birth to a ram is childless)
spotted, stain, discolouration
Tone:
name
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aha
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
yam meal cooked in spicy water and usually eaten in cold weather
Tone:
Other dialects: awayị
Examples
• ji awayị (yam meal)
• igbu awayị (to cook yam meal)
yam meal cooked in spicy water and usually eaten in cold weather
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: awaị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
goodluck
Tone:
Examples
• ije awale (safe journey)
edible caterpillar that form enormous swarms
Tone:
toad
Tone:
Similar to: akịrị
• akụ ferecha, ọ daara nwa awọ (Literally: when the termite is done flying, it falls to the toad)
trick, deceit, cunning
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aghụghọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
war
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: agha
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
disorderliness, disorder, lack of order,
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: aghara
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
we, us, our
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: anyị
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
begging, petition, prayer
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: arịrịọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
grass for roofing
Tone:
cowry, cowrie
Tone:
See dictionary entry under: ayọrọ
Dialects: Some northern Igbo
cowry, cowrie
Tone:
Other dialects: ayọlọ
• ego ayọrọ (cowrie money)
1. broom
Tone:
Examples
• izi azịza (to transform the palm leaf into a broom)
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2. answer
Tone:
Examples
• ịza azịza (to answer)
• inwe azịza (to have answer)
1. fish
Tone:
Examples
• azụ ndụ (fresh fish)
• azụ okpoo (dry fish)
• azụ ukpo (fish caught with a hook)
• onye ndidi na-eri azụ ukpo (the patient person eats the fish caught with a hook)
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2. back
Tone:
Examples
• n'azu (behind)
• ikpe azu (to come last)
• ichigha azu (to turn back)
• iga azu (to retrogress)
• ila azu (to retrogress)
• aka azu (bribery)
catarrh
Tone:
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