Greetings & Manners Related Igbo Vocabulary Words
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
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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.
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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.)
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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.)
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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
Source: http://www.ezinaulo.com
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
