Order anything by pointing in Igbo
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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
- Achọrọ m...a-CHOH-roh m
- I would like...
- Nke ankeh a
- This one
- Ego ole?EH-goh OH-leh
- How much is it?
- Ego ole ka m ga-akwụ?EH-goh OH-leh ka m ga-ah-KWOO
- The bill, please
- Na kaadịna KAH-dee
- By card
- Na ego nkịtịna EH-goh n-KEE-tee
- In cash
- MmiriMMEE-ree
- Water
- KọfịKOH-fee
- Coffee
- Tiitee
- Tea
- BiyaBEE-ya
- Beer
- Na-enweghị...na-en-WEH-ghee
- Without...
Literally "I want": "achọrọ m mmiri", I would like water.
Point and say it. At market counters, "nke a ma nkea?" (this one or this one?) is how you choose by pointing. At bakeries and stalls, it is the universal ordering phrase.
Literally "money how much?". Prices are in naira, and market prices invite bargaining.
Literally "how much shall I pay?", the natural way to ask for the bill.
Bank transfers and POS card machines are common in cities.
Literally "with ordinary money". Most people simply say "cash".
Tap water in cities is not always safe; sachet water (pure water in plastic bags) and bottled water are universal. Every vendor and shop sells pure water for small naira. Drinking this is the safe local habit.
Palm wine, mmanya ngwọ (m-MAH-nya n-GWOH), is the traditional drink.
Literally "without having".