Help and emergencies in Igbo
The words you hope to never need. 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 10 Igbo phrases in this lesson
- Nyem aka!n'YEM AH-ka
- Help!
- Kpọọ dọkịtaKPAW doh-KEE-ta
- Call a doctor
- PolisPOH-lis
- Police
- Ụlọ ahịa ọgwụOO-loh a-HEE-a OH-gwoo
- Pharmacy
- Ụlọ ọgwụOO-loh OH-gwoo
- Hospital
- Efuola meh-FOO-oh-la m
- I'm lost
- Ahụ adịghị m mmaa-HOO a-DEE-ghee m MMA
- I don't feel well
- E zụrụ yaeh ZOO-roo ya
- It was stolen
- Ọ bụ ihe mberedeoh boo EE-heh m-beh-REH-deh
- It's an emergency
- Hapụ m akaha-POO m AH-ka
- Leave me alone
Literally "give me hand/help". A genuine call will draw attention; Igbo communities respond to calls for aid. Softer: "Biko, nyem aka" with less urgency.
Borrowed English. Police presence varies; in cities they are visible. Corruption is real; politely firm is safer than loud. Use police for major crimes only.
Literally "medicine market house". People also say "chemist".
Literally "medicine house".
Literally "I have got lost".
Literally "my body is not well".
Literally "it was stolen/taken". "Onye zụrụ ya" (someone stole it). Reporting to police means a station visit and a form; Igbo justice often settles locally first.
Nigeria's emergency number is 112.
Literally "take your hand off me".