Greetings and politeness in Igbo
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Igbo words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Igbo phrases in this lesson
- Ndeewon-deh-EH-woh
- Hello
- Ututu omaoo-TOO-too O-ma
- Good morning
- Mgbede ọmam-GBEH-deh OH-ma
- Good evening
- Ka ọ dịka oh DEE
- Goodbye
- Ka emesiaka eh-MEH-see-ah
- See you
- BikoBEE-ko
- Please
- DaluDA-loo
- Thank you
- Ọ dịghị iheoh DEE-ghee EE-heh
- You're welcome
- Ndon-DOH
- Sorry
- Gbaghara mgba-gha-RA m
- Excuse me
- Obi dị m ụtọ ịhụ gịOH-bee dee m OO-toh ee-HOO ghee
- Nice to meet you
A respectful hello for anyone. The n at the start is a short hum.
Used until mid-morning, always includes a half-bow for an elder. "Ututu oma nna" (good morning father) adds respect, the -a suffix shifts to gender and seniority.
Literally "good evening". The gb is said with both lips and the back of the throat at once.
Literally "let it be", the everyday goodbye. "Ka ọ mesịa" (ka oh meh-SEE-a), until later, is also common.
Literally "until later", the friendly goodbye.
The request softener, placed at the start or end of a sentence: "Biko, m enye m ihe a" (please, give me this thing). Biko is gentler than a direct order; children learn this word early.
The workhorse. Simple dalu works in any transaction, though a smile lifts it. Combine with other words: "Dalu gi" (thanks to you) adds personal warmth.
Literally "it is nothing".
Covers sorry and sympathy alike: said to someone who trips, is tired, or has had bad news.
Literally "pardon me", to get past or interrupt.
Literally "my heart is sweet to see you".